Burleigh WA-1000 wavelength meter repair

The Burleigh WA-1000 is a Michelson interferometer wavelength meter built around a stabilized HeNe reference laser. It measures single CW wavelengths in the visible and near-IR range with sub-pm accuracy. Burleigh instruments were widely used in spectroscopy labs, atomic physics research, and tunable laser characterization. EXFO acquired Burleigh; the WA-1000 has been out of support for many years.

The HeNe reference laser is the heart of the WA-1000 and its most common failure mode. HeNe tubes have finite lifetimes - when the tube ages, the reference frequency drifts, and every wavelength measurement the instrument makes is systematically wrong. Users often notice accuracy degrading gradually before the reference fails completely. Beyond the reference laser: the Michelson interferometer’s beam splitter and mirror alignment can shift with temperature cycling, and the input fiber or free-space input optics can degrade.

We assess the HeNe reference tube output and stability, check interferometer alignment, and verify wavelength accuracy against NIST-traceable atomic reference sources. HeNe tube replacement if needed, optical alignment, and full NIST-traceable calibration complete the service.

Flat-rate estimate: $100. Turnaround 1–3 days. Ships worldwide.