Burleigh WA-1000 Visible Light Laser Wavemeter for 400 to 1100 nm

Burleigh WA-1000 Visible Light Laser Wavemeter — Precision Wavelength Measurement from 400 to 1100 nm

The Burleigh WA-1000 Visible Light Laser Wavemeter for 400 to 1100 nm is a Michelson-interferometer-based wavelength meter built for laser researchers, photonics engineers, and metrology technicians who need accurate, real-time wavelength readings on CW lasers in the visible and near-visible range. With ±1 ppm absolute accuracy and 0.001 nm resolution at 1000 nm, it delivers the precision required for laser characterization, spectroscopy, and frequency-stabilization work.

Configured here with the VIS beamsplitter and photodetector, the WA-1000 covers 400 to 1100 nm — the working range for HeNe, argon-ion, dye, Ti:sapphire, and most visible diode lasers. The unit accepts both free-space and fiber-optic input, making it equally at home on an optical table or in a fiber-coupled test bench.

Key Features and Benefits of the Burleigh WA-1000

• ±1 ppm absolute accuracy (±1 × 10?6) — meets the precision demands of laser locking, spectroscopy, and frequency-reference applications.
• 0.001 nm resolution at 1000 nm — resolves fine wavelength drift that lower-resolution meters miss entirely.
• 4 Hz measurement rate — fast enough to track laser drift in real time, four times faster than the WA-1500 in the same range.
• 400 to 1100 nm coverage in VIS configuration — single instrument handles HeNe (633 nm), argon-ion, diode lasers, and tunable Ti:sapphire systems.
• Dual input: free-space and fiber-optic (FC/PC) — a flip mirror switches between inputs without realignment, simplifying multi-source test setups.
• Automatic 0–2 OD input attenuator — handles a 400:1 dynamic intensity range without manual ND-filter swapping.
• Display in nm, cm?¹, or GHz, air or vacuum — read out in the units your application uses without conversion math.
• Analog output and RS-232 interface standard — feeds laser-locking loops or chart recorders directly; GPIB optional for ATE integration.
• Setpoint deviation mode — displays the difference between measured wavelength and a programmed target, ideal for tuning and stabilization tasks.

Advanced Capabilities

The WA-1000 measures wavelength by comparing the interference fringes of the unknown laser against those of a built-in HeNe reference laser, with a microprocessor counting fringes and correcting for air temperature and pressure. The reference laser provides continuous calibration during operation — there's no need to stop and run a calibration routine between measurements, and the displayed wavelength is automatically corrected to either air or vacuum values based on user selection.

The setpoint feature is particularly useful for laser stabilization. The operator programs a target wavelength, and the rear-panel analog output produces a ±5 V signal proportional to the deviation from that setpoint. Feed this into a laser controller and you have a closed-loop wavelength lock without additional electronics. The Monitor port on the rear panel also exposes the raw interferometer fringe signals and timing pulses — useful for diagnostics, custom data acquisition, or verifying the system's operation on an oscilloscope.

Wavelength range conversion is straightforward: swapping the photodetector and beamsplitter modules reconfigures the WA-1000 between VIS, NIR (600–1800 nm), and IR (1.5–4 µm) ranges, protecting your investment as application needs change.

Calibration and Quality Assurance

Every Burleigh WA-1000 ships calibrated to OEM specifications before leaving our facility. Your order includes a Calibration Certificate, a Calibration Label applied to the unit, and the full Calibration Data set documenting accuracy across the wavelength range. Instrumentation used during this calibration is traceable to N.I.S.T. (National Institute of Standards and Technology) or C.N.R.C. (Canadian National Research Council), giving you audit-ready documentation and confidence that the instrument is performing to spec from day one — no third-party calibration cycle needed before you put it to work.

Specifications