Source-Measure Unit (Smu); Preamplifier; Pulse Source-Measure Hardware; Ground Unit (Gndu) - Keithley 4200A-SCS Reference Manual

Model 4200A-SCS Parameter Analyzer Reference Manual

Source-Measure Unit (SMU)

The fundamental instrument module used by the 4200A-SCS is the source-measure unit (SMU). The
basic function of a SMU is to perform one of the following source-measure operations:
•
Source voltage and measure current voltage
•
Source current and measure voltage current
The source of the SMU can be configured to sweep or step voltages or currents, or to output a
constant bias voltage or current.
There are two models of source-measure units available. The 4200-SMU is a medium power (2 W)
source-measure unit, and the 4210 is a high power (20 W) SMU. The following table lists the
maximum limits of the two SMUs.
Source-measure units
Model
4200-SMU
4210-SMU

Preamplifier

A 4200-PA preamplifier adds five low current source-measure ranges to a SMU. Without a
preamplifier, the 100 nA range (100 fA resolution) is the lowest current source-measure range for a
SMU. With a preamplifier installed, the 10 nA, 1 nA, 100 pA, 10 pA, and 1 pA source-measure ranges
are added.
If preamplifiers are ordered, the 4200A-SCS will be shipped from the factory with the preamplifiers
installed on the rear panel of the mainframe. The preamplifiers can be removed from the rear panel
and mounted remotely in order to reduce the effects of long cables on measurement quality (long
cables can add noise to low current measurements and can cause oscillation with some devices).
An installed preamplifier is matched to the SMU to which it is connected. Therefore, if you disconnect
the preamplifiers to mount them at a remote location, you must ensure that you reconnect each one
to its matching SMU.
For details, refer to

Pulse source-measure hardware

Keithley Instruments' pulse source-measure hardware for the 4200A-SCS includes one or more pulse
Keithley pulse cards. Refer to

Ground unit (GNDU)

The ground unit on the rear panel of the 4200A-SCS provides a convenient method of making ground
connections. This eliminates the need to use a SMU for this purpose. For details, refer to
(GNDU) overview

Capacitance-voltage (CVU) hardware

Keithley Instruments' capacitance-voltage hardware for the 4200A-SCS includes up to one
capacitance-voltage unit (CVU). Refer to
details.
4200A-901-01 Rev. C / February 2017
Maximum Voltage Maximum Current
210 V 105 mA
210 V 1.05 A
Source measure unit (SMU) with Model 4200-PA overview
Pulse measure and pulse generator units
(on page 3-19).
Maximum Power
2.2 W
22 W
Multi-frequency capacitance-voltage unit
Section 1: Introduction
(on page 3-11).
(on page 5-1) for details.
Ground unit
(on page 4-1) for
1-3