Agilent / Keysight 86140B Standard Performance Optical Spectrum Analyzer

The Agilent/Keysight 86140B is a standard performance optical spectrum analyzer delivering precise spectral measurement across the 600 nm to 1700 nm wavelength range. Built for telecommunications, photonics, research, and manufacturing applications, it combines fast sweep speeds, high sensitivity, and accurate amplitude characterization essential for optical component and system evaluation.

Technical Specifications

Wavelength Performance

• Range: 600 nm to 1700 nm


• Span: 0.2 nm to full range; zero span capable


• Accuracy: ±0.01 nm (1480–1570 nm with internal calibration and enhanced mode); ±0.025 nm (1570–1620 nm); ±0.2 nm (user calibration); ±0.5 nm (factory calibration, 2-year cycle)


• Linearity: ±0.01 nm (1525–1570 nm)


• Repeatability: ±0.002 nm wavelength; ±0.003 nm tuning


• Span linearity: ±0.05 nm (<40 nm spans); ±0.02 nm (1525–1570 nm) Resolution Bandwidth (RBW)


• Selectable FWHM: 0.06 nm, 0.1 nm, 0.2 nm, 0.3 nm, 0.5 nm, 1 nm, 2 nm, 5 nm, 10 nm


• RBW accuracy: ±4% (≥0.5 nm); ±6% (0.2 nm); ±12% (0.1 nm) [1525–1610 nm] Amplitude Characteristics


• Dynamic range: –70 dB


• Maximum input power: +20 dBm


• Accuracy at –20 dBm (1550 nm, 20–30°C): ±0.35 dB


• Polarization dependency: ±0.5 dB (1250–1650 nm)


• Scale fidelity: ±0.05 dB (fixed reference); ±0.07 dB (variable reference) [≤0 dBm inputs] Sweep Performance


• Maximum sweep rate: 40 nm/50 ms


• Zero-span sampling: 50 µs per trace point


• Sweep cycle time: <180 ms (50 nm, auto zero off); <340 ms (50 nm); <400 ms (100 nm); <650 ms (500 nm)


• ADC trigger jitter: <±0.5 µs


• Trigger delay: 2 µs to 6.5 ms

Key Features

• Continuously variable span from 0.2 nm with zero-span capability


• Sub-nanometer wavelength repeatability enables stable optical signal tracking


• Multiple RBW options from 0.06 nm to 10 nm support both broadband and narrow-line analysis


• Fast sweep speeds minimize measurement time in production environments


• High-resolution amplitude characterization with ±0.35 dB accuracy

Typical Applications

• Optical component characterization and validation


• Telecommunications system spectral analysis


• Photonics research and development


• Manufacturing quality assurance and process control


• Wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) signal monitoring

Compatibility & Integration The 86140B operates within the optical telecommunications bands and integrates with standard laboratory test environments supporting optical measurements from visible through near-infrared wavelengths.