Waferpedia

Agilent

86142B

Precision OpticsAgilent 86142B family
Research Quality: 40% complete

Provisional entry — research in progress

This page was generated automatically from cited public sources and hasn't completed the full research pass yet. Every specification shown carries its source; more detail is added as research completes.

Agilent86142B
No photo available yet
  • Plate 01Agilent 86142B High Performance Optical Spectrum Analyzer with Option 006

    AssetRelayWatch on YouTube
  • Plate 02Agilent 86142B Optical Spectrum Analyzer OSA Opt 002 & 006 600–1700nm

    AssetRelayWatch on YouTube

What it is

The Agilent 86142B is a benchtop optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) designed for measuring optical power as a function of wavelength.[3][2]

The instrument operates over a wavelength range of 600 nm to 1700 nm.[3][2]

The Agilent 86142B is intended for fiber-optic component and system test applications where power and wavelength accuracy, dynamic range, and low polarization dependence are critical.[3][2]

How it works

The Agilent 86142B provides selectable resolution bandwidths including 0.06 nm, 0.1 nm, 0.2 nm, 0.5 nm, 1 nm, 2 nm, 5 nm, and 10 nm.[3][2]

The 86142B employs an internal auto-align routine and can perform sweeps at rates up to 40 nm in 56.3 ms (typical).[3][2]

Where it fits in the process flow

General reference — not yet source-verified

Optical spectrum analyzers are used in the test and measurement phase of photonic device manufacturing and in research laboratories, rather than in the cleanroom fabrication process itself.

The instrument is employed to characterize the spectral output of laser sources, optical amplifiers, and passive WDM components after fabrication.

Applications

The Agilent 86142B includes on-board measurement applications for dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) spectral analysis, passive component testing, amplifier testing, and source testing.[3][2]

The instrument can be equipped with optional built-in sources such as a white light source (86142B-002) or an EELED source (86142B-004) for characterizing fiber-optic components over broad wavelength ranges.[3][2]

What do the numbers mean?

Optics & imaging3

Equipment type
Optical Spectrum Analyzer[1]
Accurate?
Instrument Type
Full-Feature Optical Spectrum Analyzer[2]
Accurate?
Optional Wavelength Calibrator
Wavelength calibrator absorption spectrum available as option 86142B-006[3]
Accurate?

Control & software1

Performance
Excellent speed and dynamic range with convenient and powerful user interface[2]
Accurate?

Configuration & options3

Model
86142B[1]
Accurate?
OEM
Agilent[1]
Accurate?
Sensitivity Definition
Signal level equal to six times the RMS value of the noise[3]
Accurate?
Interested in this tool?
Need help with this tool?Embed spec card

Where are the manuals?

Generated from public-source data on file. Enter your email to access — nothing is published; details are routed privately.

Not publicly documented

Field notes

No research found yet — worked with this tool? Share what you know.

Worked with this tool? Help preserve its knowledge →

Frequently asked questions

What wavelength range does the Agilent 86142B cover?

The wavelength range is 600 nm to 1700 nm.[3][2]

What resolution bandwidths are available?

Resolution bandwidths (FWHM, 3 dB) include 0.06 nm, 0.1 nm, 0.2 nm, 0.5 nm, 1 nm, 2 nm, 5 nm, and 10 nm (10 nm available for first-order grating response only).[3][2]

What is the sensitivity specification?

Sensitivity (defined as signal value > 6 × RMS noise) is –75 dBm from 750 nm to 900 nm, –90 dBm from 1250 nm to 1610 nm, and –80 dBm from 1610 nm to 1700 nm (typical, temperature dependent).[3][2]

What is the weight and dimensions of the instrument?

The Agilent 86142B weighs 16.5 kg and measures 425 mm wide, 222 mm high, and 427 mm deep.[3][2]

What are the power requirements?

The instrument accepts 90 VAC to 260 VAC at 44 Hz to 444 Hz and has a maximum power consumption of 230 W.[3][2]

Not publicly documented

The following facts about the 86142B are absent from this record as of this revision. First-hand knowledge or a citation closes a gap; every submission is reviewed before publication.

  • No publicly documented production dates or lifecycle milestones (introduction, end of production, EOL) for the 86142B are on record.

    Answerable by: OEM historical records or a trade-press announcement

  • No publicly documented variants, configuration options, or revision breakpoints of the 86142B are on record.

    Answerable by: an OEM product catalog or an engineer who ordered or specified the tool

  • The control-system platform and OS era of the 86142B are not on record.

    Answerable by: an engineer who operated it or OEM installation records

  • No publicly documented failure modes or field errata for the 86142B are on record.

    Answerable by: a field service engineer, process engineer, or maintenance technician

  • The process node or technology generation of the 86142B is not on record.

    Answerable by: an OEM datasheet or a fab qualification report

No research found yet — worked with this tool? Share what you know.

Sources & citations

Sources (3)Every fact above is drawn from these public sources
  1. [1]ece.ucsb.edu — ece.ucsb.eduece.ucsb.edu
  2. [2]caoptronicsgroup.com — caoptronicsgroup.comcaoptronicsgroup.com
  3. [3]keysight.com — keysight.comkeysight.com
Was this page accurate?

Last updated Sep 22, 2026.

Compare with similar tools

View all →