The Tektronix 576 Curve Tracer is a semiconductor device characterization instrument designed for engineers, system integrators, and laboratories requiring detailed device analysis, fault diagnosis, and performance evaluation. It traces characteristic curves for bipolar transistors, field-effect transistors, silicon-controlled rectifiers, triacs, diacs, diodes, rectifiers, zener diodes, tunnel diodes, and with appropriate fixtures, optocouplers, transistor arrays, and vacuum tubes.
Technical Specifications
Collector Supply Voltage & Current
• Voltage ranges: 15 V, 75 V, 350 V, 1500 V
• AC (line frequency, positive or negative full-wave rectified) or DC (positive or negative) modes
• Open circuit voltages: within +35% and −5% of indicated range
• Maximum continuous peak current: 10 A (15 V), 2 A (75 V), 0.5 A (350 V), 0.1 A (1500 V)
• Peak pulse current with 176 fixture: 220 A (15 V), 40 A (75 V), 8 A (350 V)
• Series resistance: 0.3 Ω to 6.5 MΩ in 12 steps (±5% or ±0.1 Ω accuracy)
• Peak power limits: 0.1 W, 0.5 W, 2.2 W, 10 W, 50 W, 220 W selectable
• Maximum peak power: 220 W (standard fixture), 1000 W (176 pulsed high-current fixture)
• Leakage mode: 1000× vertical deflection sensitivity (1 nA/div) for emitter-current measurements
Step Generator — Current Mode
• Step/offset amplitude: 5 nA/step to 200 mA/step (1–2–5 sequence)
• Maximum current: 2 A (X20 amplitude setting)
• Maximum voltage: ≥10 V
• Maximum opposing offset current: X10 or 10 mA, whichever is less
• Pulse width (pulsed base operation): 80 µs or 300 µs
Step Generator — Voltage Mode
• Step/offset amplitude: 5 mV/step to 2 V/step (1–2–5 sequence)
• Maximum voltage: 40 V (X20 amplitude setting)
• Maximum opposing offset voltage: 1 V to 3 V
• Offset control: continuously variable 0 to 10× AMPLITUDE switch setting
Display
• CRT display: 10 × 10 cm with internal parallax-free graticule
Step Selection
• Repetitive or single step families: 1 to 10 selectable steps
– Key Features
• Multi-range voltage capability spans low-power semiconductor testing through high-voltage device characterization
• Dual pulse and continuous current operation with independent peak power limits
• Wide step generator range (nanoamperes to 2 amperes; millivolts to 40 volts) for comprehensive device families
• Precision series resistance control with ±5% accuracy enables accurate device parameter extraction
• Pulsed high-current fixture option (176) extends peak power to 1000 W and pulse current to 220 A
– Typical Applications
• Transistor parameter extraction and device matching
• Semiconductor failure analysis and quality screening
• Rectifier and thyristor characterization across multiple voltage ranges
• Leakage current measurement at 1 nA/div resolution
• Fixture-based testing of optocouplers, transistor arrays, and vacuum tubes
– Compatibility & Integration
The 576 accepts optional test fixtures, including the model 176 pulsed high-current fixture for peak power and pulse current extension. Standard and specialized fixtures enable device-specific measurements across a broad range of semiconductor types.
