Keysight 5517B Laser Interferometer Laser Head

Description

Key Technical Specifications

These values follow Keysight’s current 5517B product information. Keysight also identifies the broader 5517 family as two-frequency heterodyne HeNe laser heads with a nominal 632.99137 nm vacuum wavelength and ±0.1 ppm lifetime wavelength accuracy.

Important documentation note: older Keysight/Agilent technical-overview material contains different electrical-current, minimum-output-power, and warm-up figures for earlier 5517B documentation revisions. For procurement and replacement work, use the actual unit revision/nameplate and the applicable Keysight documentation, rather than mixing specifications from different revisions.

Product Introduction

The Keysight 5517B is a frequency-stabilized two-frequency HeNe laser head used in laser interferometer position-measurement systems. Its 1.9–2.4 MHz reference frequency and 632.99137 nm nominal vacuum wavelength provide the optical reference required by compatible interferometer receivers and measurement electronics.

The 5517B is intended for applications including VME- and PC-based interferometer systems and the Keysight 5527A system. The laser head uses a 6 mm beam and provides a specified maximum linear velocity of 500 mm/s with applicable linear optics.

5517B

5517B

Installation & Configuration Guide

Stage 1 — Pre-Installation Preparation

Estimated time: 20–30 minutes

1. Confirm the complete marking 5517B on the laser head.
2. Identify the connected interferometer receiver and optical configuration.
3. Record the existing laser-head cable and connector arrangement.
4. Verify the available power supply provides the required bipolar ±15 V DC.
5. Check the existing laser-head beam height and mechanical mounting.
6. Confirm the receiver accepts the 1.9–2.4 MHz reference-frequency range.
7. Establish the required laser-safety controls before exposing the optical beam.

⚠️ Do not look directly into the laser aperture. The 5517B is a Class II laser product.

Stage 2 — Removing the Existing Laser Head

Estimated time: 15–30 minutes

1. Shut down the interferometer system according to the equipment procedure.
2. Isolate the laser-head power supply.
3. Verify the supply is de-energized.
4. Disconnect the laser-head cable.
5. Remove the existing mounting hardware.
6. Protect exposed optical surfaces from contamination.
7. Keep the removed unit until the replacement has completed functional testing.

⚠️ Do not disturb fixed interferometer optics unless alignment work is specifically required.

Stage 3 — Installing the New Laser Head

Estimated time: 20–40 minutes

1. Mount the 5517B in the original mechanical position.
2. Set the beam centerline to approximately 79.5 mm above the mounting reference.
3. Secure the laser head without applying excessive mechanical stress.
4. Connect the approved laser-head cable.
5. Verify the positive and negative supply rails before energizing.
6. Confirm the optical beam reaches the interferometer receiver.
7. Restore any required beam enclosure or safety interlock.

⚠️ Do not apply power until the ±15 V supply polarity and voltage have been verified.

Stage 4 — Power-On & Testing

Estimated time: 45–90 minutes

1. Energize the laser-head power supply.
2. Confirm normal laser-head status.
3. Allow the unit to reach its specified operating condition.
4. Verify detection of the 1.9–2.4 MHz reference frequency.
5. Confirm the receiver establishes a valid measurement signal.
6. Check the optical alignment using the approved interferometer procedure.
7. Perform a known displacement verification.
8. Confirm stable position readings through the full required measurement range.
9. Record the laser-head serial number and calibration information.

⚠️ Keysight currently specifies a 90-minute warm-up time for the 5517B. Do not use immediate post-power-up behavior as the final stability assessment.

FAQ

1. What is the Keysight 5517B?

The 5517B is a two-frequency helium-neon laser head used as the optical source for compatible laser interferometer position-measurement systems.

2. Is HP 5517B the same product as Keysight 5517B?

The model designation 5517B is associated with the HP/Agilent/Keysight lineage of laser interferometer equipment. For purchasing a replacement, the important identifiers are the complete model, hardware/revision information, cable configuration, and compatibility with the installed interferometer electronics.

3. What is the 5517B reference frequency?

The standard 5517B reference-frequency range is 1.9–2.4 MHz. Keysight also lists Option H10, which changes the reference-frequency range to 2.2–2.4 MHz.

4. What wavelength does the 5517B use?

The nominal vacuum wavelength is 632.99137 nm. Keysight specifies ±0.1 ppm vacuum-wavelength accuracy over the stated lifetime conditions.

5. What power supply does the 5517B require?

Current Keysight specifications list +15 V ±0.3 V at up to 3.0 A and −15 V ±0.3 V at up to 0.3 A. Because older 5517B documentation contains different electrical figures, the applicable revision should be checked before replacement.

6. Can a 5517C or 5517D replace a 5517B?

They should not be treated as automatic substitutes. The reference-frequency ranges differ: 5517B: 1.9–2.4 MHz; 5517C: 2.4–3.0 MHz; 5517D: 3.4–4.0 MHz. Receiver and system compatibility must therefore be verified before substitution.

7. What should I verify before purchasing a 5517B?

Confirm the 5517B model, serial number, hardware revision, cable configuration, reference-frequency requirement, compatible receiver, optical arrangement, and calibration status. For used equipment, request evidence that the laser reaches normal operating status and that the receiving interferometer detects the reference frequency correctly.