Variable Gain Sub Femto Ampere Transimpedance (Current) Amplifier DDPCA-300

Features

  • 0.4 fA peak-to-peak noise
  • Transimpedance amplifier with gain from 104 to 1013 V/A
  • 240 dB dynamic range for sub-fA to mA measurements
  • Adjustable voltage on input for DUT biasing
  • Compact housing for use close to the signal source
  • Manual and remote control
sub femtoampere transimpedance amplifier FEMTO DDPCA-300
Model DDPCA-300
Transimpedance [V/A] 104 105 106 107 108 109 1010 1011 1012 1013
Bandwidth* (-3 dB) [Hz] 400 400 400 400 150 150 20 20 1 1
Rise Time* (10 % - 90 %) [ms] 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 2.3 2.3 17 17 350 350
Integrated Input Noise* (Peak-Peak) 7 nA 7 nA 70 pA 70 pA 1.2 pA 1.2 pA 50 fA 50 fA 2 fA 2 fA
Spectral Input Noise Density
[/√Hz]
45 pA 45 pA 0.5 pA 0.5 pA 15 fA 15 fA 1.3 fA 1.3 fA 0.2 fA 0.2 fA
Accuracy Performance ±1 %
Adjustable Low Pass Filter 3 settings: full bandwidth, 0.7 Hz and 0.1 Hz
Output ±10 V, ±30 mA
Bias Voltage ±10 V, max. 10 mA, connected to amplifier input, adjustable by trimpot or remote control voltage
Power Supply ±15 V, +70 mA / -15 mA typ., ±150 mA recommended
Control Interface 4 opto-isolated digital inputs, TTL/CMOS compatible, analog bias control voltage input
Case 170 x 60 x 45 mm (L x W x H), Weight 320 g (0.74 lb.)
Datasheet
* The values for bandwidth, rise time and integrated input noise stated in the table above are achieved with the low pass filter set to full bandwidth. Lower peak-to-peak noise values can be achieved by setting the low pass filter to 0.7 Hz or 0.1 Hz. The minimum peak-to-peak noise of 0.4 fA is achieved in the gain settings 1012 and 1013 V/A with the low pass filter set to 0.1 Hz.

Offset adjustable by trimpot. Overload indication by LED and digital control output. Input protected against ±2 kV transients. Output short-circuit protected. Power supply via 3-pin Lemo® socket. A mating connector is provided with the device. Optional power supply PS-15 available. For further information please view the datasheet or contact FEMTO.

Plugs and sockets

FEMTO amplifiers and photoreceivers are supplied with either a BNC or SMA socket as standard, depending on the model. We are happy to fit other plugs and sockets according to your requirements. In addition to BNC, SMA and type N, other types are also available on request. Simply add your request to your quotation enquiry or contact our support team.

Customised products

Do none of the products fulfil your requirements? We would be happy to offer you a customised product tailored to your application, which can also be implemented as an OEM version. Our technical support team looks forward to receiving your enquiry. You may also find something suitable among the related products.

Sub femtoampere sensitivity

The variable gain sub femto ampere transimpedance amplifier DDPCA-300 is the latest addition to FEMTO's broad range of low noise amplifiers. Its exceptional design achieves input noise values down to 0.2 fA/√Hz and 0.4 fA peak-to-peak. The gain can be set over a very wide range from 104 up to 1013 V/A either manually or by a remote interface. Thus, the amplifier covers a large dynamic range of more than 240 dB for the measurement of currents from sub femto amps up to milli amps by simply switching the gain range. The compact housing is optimised for use close to the signal source avoiding signal perturbations or noise pick-up due to long cables. Various filters are integrated to adapt the amplifier bandwidth to varying signal conditions. Thus, the signal to noise ratio and measurement speed can be optimised by selecting the proper filter setting for a specific application. And even in the highest gain settings the measurement speed is sufficient to measure femto amp currents in real-time without the need for external averaging or long test periods (see figure 1 below).

Low drift for stable long-term performance

At the femto ampere level drift and offset currents can easily cause measurement errors and shifting baselines. The design of the DDPCA-300 transimpedance amplifier is optimised for long-term stability and extremely low drift. The below figure shows the amplifier's baseline drift of less than 0.5 fA measured over a period of more than 7 hours. In case of inevitable (e.g. temperature related) offsets a trimpot is provided for cancelling unwanted offset currents and for nulling of the baseline.

Device characterisation by source biasing

The very high sensitivity of the DDPCA-300 can be utilized in low current applications like characterisation of high resistance semiconductors (e.g. MOS or JFETs) or quantum-dot devices. An adjustable voltage is supplied directly at the amplifier input for biasing the device under test (DUT). Changing the bias voltage manually or through the remote interface in the range of ±10 V allows the characterisation of the DUT for different bias voltages in spectroscopic measurements. For applications not requiring a bias voltage like photocurrent measurements or beam monitoring in particle physics the bias voltage can be easily disabled.

Applications

  • Current to voltage converter for current measurement
  • Photo and ionisation detector amplifier
  • I/V characterisation of MOS and JFET structures
  • DC measurement of ultra-low currents
  • Quantum and biotech experiments
  • Spectroscopy
  • High resistance measurements
  • Easy-to-use FEMTO amp add-on to existing digital voltmeter or A/D converter
DDPCA-300 signal repsonse to 10 fA

Figure 1: Femto Ampere Measurements in Real-Time without Averaging

DDPCA-300 DC drift

Related products

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to 1013 V/A

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DC to 500 kHz
Variable Gain
to 1011 V/A

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FEMTO Transimpedance Amplifier Series LCA

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DC to 400 kHz
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to 1013 V/A

FEMTO Switchable Gain Transimpedance Amplifier DLPCA-200

DLPCA

DC to 500 kHz
Variable Gain
to 1011 V/A

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FEMTO Transimpedance Amplifier Series LCA

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DC to 400 kHz
Fixed Gain
to 1013 V/A

FEMTO Switchable Gain Transimpedance Amplifier DLPCA-200

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DC to 500 kHz
Variable Gain
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Accessories

FEMTO Switching Power Supply

Power Supply

FEMTO Low Noise Cable CAB-LN1

Low Noise Cable

FEMTO USB Adapter Interface Cable LUCI-10

USB Control Interface LUCI-10