The Stanford Research Systems CS580 is a precision, voltage-controlled current source delivering ultra-low noise AC and DC currents across a range of 100 fA to 100 mA. Engineered for research and development in semiconductor testing, superconductivity, and nanotechnology, the CS580 combines four-quadrant bipolar sourcing with adjustable compliance voltage up to ±50 V and maximum output power of 5 W.
Technical Specifications
• Current Output Range: 100 fA to 100 mA (AC and DC)
• Compliance Voltage: ±50 V (bipolar, adjustable)
• Output Power: 5 W maximum (four-quadrant sourcing/sinking)
• Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.01 % typical
• Bandwidth: Up to 200 kHz
• DC Output Resistance: 10¹² Ω (at 1 nA/V gain)
• Output Capacitance: <10 pF (filter off); <50 pF (filter on)
• Guard Output: −50 V to +50 V, 5 kΩ internal resistance
• AC Line Input: 100 V, 120 V, 220–230 V, or 240 V nominal at 50 Hz or 60 Hz
• Fusing: 1 A (100/120 V operation); 0.5 A (220–240 V operation)
• Operating Temperature: 0 °C to 40 °C
– Gain Settings & Performance
Five selectable gain ranges span 1 nA/V to 50 mA/V. The 1 nA/V setting delivers 2.2 nA range with 1.2% accuracy, 5 kHz bandwidth, and 10 fA/√Hz noise. Higher gains trade bandwidth for lower noise floors—the 10 µA/V setting reaches 20 fA/√Hz noise with 150 kHz bandwidth. Low-current specifications vary by gain: accuracy ranges from 0.1% + 1 nA (1 µA/V) to 0.5% + 10 pA (1 nA/V); resolution spans 100 fA to 1 nA; temperature stability includes drift coefficients from 50 ppm/°C to 100 ppm/°C.
– Key Features
• Actively driven guard reduces leakage current and enhances bandwidth
• Buffered monitor output for high-impedance voltage measurement
• Linear power supplies eliminate switching-frequency interference
• RS-232 and optical fiber remote control interfaces
– Typical Applications
Semiconductor device characterization, superconductivity research, nanotechnology measurements, and low-current precision sourcing requiring femtoampere-level noise performance.
