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The transimpedance amplifier TZA500 is designed for precise measurement of current, from pA to mA. The output is a voltage linearly proportional to the input current.
The TZA500 is very flexible with USB and hard-wire interface control of gain, bandwidth and polarity. A graphical user interface is delivered with the amplifier.
The TZA500 measures small currents e.g. optical power via a photodiode. Photodiodes are useful for power measurement in the visible and near infra-red due to their inherent sensitivity and speed of measurement.
Photodiodes produce a current which is proportional to the incident light power over a wide dynamic range.
The current is converted to a voltage through a precise transimpedance amplifier. This amplifier is very linear over the full measurement range of the device. The TZA500 has 6 gain ranges. The switch is a semiconductor device, free from degradation.
A unique feature of the TZA500 is the auto-null function. Further functions include signal inversion and bandwidth reduction. The analogue output signal is available at the BNC connector on the front panel an on the appropriate line on the interface port on the back panel.
The voltage generated is then converted to a digital value via a 12 bit A/D converter. This process and all calculations and communication with the PC are controlled by a microcontroller. The measurement process is started via a command over the USB interface (software trigger). Alternatively, a continuous measurement stream can be started which samples at 1.5 kS/s.
The measured photocurrent may then be read out from the USB port.
These transimpedance amplifiers are particularly useful for the measurement of current from photodiodes. The output is a voltage linearly proportional to input current and thus, to input power in photodiode monitoring applications.
The fast response time at high signal-noise ratio makes this TZA series particularly useful in systems control feedback loops.
The high sensitivity and large dynamic range allow measurement of a wide range of optical sources such as lasers and LEDs via a variety of photodiodes for these applications such as Si and InGaAs.
The TZA500 series is insensitive to electromagnetic interference by design, an important factor when working in „dirty“ industrial environments. The proprietary auto-nulling function allows up to 10V of offset nulling. This is particularly useful for nulling dark current or for eliminating a DC signal component to concentrate on signal changes, such as in component burn-in and life-time testing.
| Parameter | Conditions | Min | Typ | Max | Units | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Input | ||||||||||
| Current ranges (full scale) | 10 1 100 10 1 100 | mA mA µA µA µA nA | ||||||||
| Noise equivalent current (NEIRMS), range: | 10mA 1mA 100µA 10µA 1µA 100nA | 300 30 3 300 30 3 | nA nA nA pA pA pA | |||||||
| Impedance | 0 (virtual short circuit) | Ω | ||||||||
| Connectors | BNC and BR2 (Adapters for other connector systems available) | |||||||||
| Output | ||||||||||
| Function | Linear analogue : Vout = scale factor x Iin | |||||||||
| Output scale, range: | 10mA 1mA 100µA 10µA 1µA 100nA | 1 10 0.1 1 10 0.1 | V/mA V/mA V/µA V/µA V/µA V/nA | |||||||
| Connectors | BR2 and DB25 (Adapters for other connector systems available) | |||||||||
| Output range (full scale) | 10 | V | ||||||||
| Rise / Fall time (10% – 90%) | Small Signal (-1 → +1V) Large Signal (-10 → +10V) | 45 65 | µs | |||||||
| Setting time (1%) | Small Signal (-1 → +1V) Large Signal (-10→ +10V) | 100 140 | µs | |||||||
| Accuracy | ± 1 | % | ||||||||
| Linearity | ± 0.1 | ± 0.2 | dB | |||||||
| Output impedance | 50 | Ω | ||||||||
| Logic | ||||||||||
| Current required for switching (5V) | -10 | 0.01 | 10 | µA | ||||||
| Switching time | 150 (Logical switching <1µs; effective switching time is limited by setting time) | µs | ||||||||
| Power supply | ||||||||||
| Type | Wall plug (supplied) | |||||||||
| Dimensions | 30 x 50 x 60 | mm | ||||||||
| Dimensions | ||||||||||
| 1 channel | 105 x 45 x 116 (w x h x l); w=130mm incl. case wings | mm | ||||||||
The SDK is a fixed, free component when purchasing a device.
It comes with the source code of the application program (in VB.net) and a LabView VI with the basic functions of the instrument. A description of the communication with the devices and a list of the commands used is also included.
For some devices (currently LDD100, LIV120 in preparation) there is a dll file (library file) with documentation and exemplary applications in VB.net and LabView.
