Cleveland, Ohio, July 2004 - Keithley Instruments, Inc.
(NYSE:KEI), a world leader in advanced electrical test instruments and systems,
introduced its Model 6221 AC and DC Current Source and Model 6220 DC Current
Source.
AC Current Source and Current Source Waveform
Generator
The Model 6221 is the only AC current source on the market.
Until now, researchers and engineers have been forced to build their own AC
current sources. The Model 6221 provides better accuracy, consistency,
reliability, robustness, and cost effectiveness than "home-made" solutions. It
is also the only commercially available current source waveform generator, which
greatly simplifies creating and outputting complex waveforms. Pulse widths as
short as five microseconds can be programmed, and the instrument supports pulsed
I-V measurements.
The Need for Precision, Low Current Sourcing
The
models 6220/6221 Current Sources combine ease of use with exceptionally low
current noise. Low current sourcing is critical to applications in test
environments ranging from R&D to production, especially in the
semiconductor, nanotechnology, and superconductor sectors. High sourcing
accuracy and built-in control functions make the models 6220 and 6221 ideal for
applications such as Hall measurements, resistance measurements using delta
mode, pulsed measurements, and differential conductance measurements (an
increasingly common measurement for characterizing semiconductor and
nanotechnology materials).
Simple Programming
Both current sources are fully
programmable via the front panel controls or from an external controller via
RS-232 or GPIB interfaces; the Model 6221 also features an Ethernet interface
for remote control from anywhere there's an Ethernet connection. Both
instruments can source DC currents from 100fA to 100mA; the Model 6221 can also
source AC currents from 1pA to 100mA.
Define and Execute Current Ramps Easily
Both the
models 6220 and 6221 offer tools for defining current ramps and stepping through
predefined sequences of up to 64,000 output values using a trigger or a timer.
Both sources support linear, logarithmic, and custom sweeps. The Model 6221's
combination of high source resolution and megahertz update rates makes it
capable of producing high fidelity current signals that are indistinguishable
from analog current ramps.
A Powerful Combination with Model 2182A Nanovoltmeter for
Resistance Measurements
Device testing and characterization for today's
very small and power-efficient electronics requires sourcing low current levels
with great precision. Lower stimulus currents produce lower-and harder to
measure-voltages across the device. Combining the Model 6220 or Model 6221 with
a Keithley Model 2182A Nanovoltmeter makes it possible to address both of these
challenges.
When used with the Keithley Model 2182A Nanovoltmeter, both
the Model 6220 and Model 6221 measure resistances from 10nohm to 1Gohm. Used in
this way, the Model 6221 acts as a high performance alternative to AC resistance
bridges and lock-in amplifiers for measuring resistances and coordinates pulsing
and measurement with pulse widths as short as 50 microseconds. The combination
measures differential conductance up to 10X faster and with lower noise than
earlier solutions allow and can be used in delta mode, which improves resistance
measurements up to 1000 times. Included control software simplifies setup and
operation.
Major Features and Benefits
Both the models 6220 and
6221 source 100fA to 100mA with 100fA resolution on the lowest DC current range
and feature current noise as low as 80fA RMS. A reconfigurable triax output
simplifies matching the application's guarding requirements. Instrument control
software is available for both Macintosh and PC computers.
Drop-in Replacement for Model 220 Current Source
The
instruments also feature an emulation mode for Keithley's earlier Model 220,
which makes it easy to use a Model 6220 or Model 6221 in an existing application
without rewriting any control code.
Availability
Delivery of he Keithley Model 6221 AC
and DC Current Source is eight weeks ARO. For more information on Keithley's
Model 6220, Model 6221, or any of its current sources or power supplies, contact
the company at: www.keithley.com
About Keithley Instruments
With more than 50 years of measurement expertise, Keithley
Instruments has become a world leader in advanced electrical test instruments
and systems from DC to RF (radio frequency) geared to the specialized needs of
electronics manufacturers for high performance production testing, process
monitoring, product development, and research. By building upon our strength in
electrical measurement solutions for research, Keithley has become a production
test technology leader for the semiconductor, wireless, optoelectronics, and
other precision electronics segments of the worldwide electronics industry. The
value we provide to our customers is a combination of precision measurement
technology and a rich understanding of their applications, which enables them to
improve the quality, throughput, and yield of their products.
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