9103 USB Picoammeter

Accurately Measure and Record Low DC Current

A programmable, data logging picoammeter with optional bias that can float up to ± 5 kV DC

9103 Picoammeter

Rugged, portable, affordable, and ASCII programmable, RBD's 9103 USB Picoammeter (ピコアンメータ) measures dual-polarity DC current from picoamps to milliamps. It can be biased with an optional built-in fixed +90V DC bias, or your own low-noise DC power supply.

Data Logging and graphing software is included for Microsoft Windows. The 9103 is compatible w/ OSx, Linux, Matlab, and LabView, and can be controlled via a simple ASCII interface.

The 9103 works well in noisy environments. It was designed for measuring electron and ion beams as well as diode and IC I/V characterization. The 9103 is multi-channel capable - up to 127 can be synchronized

The 9103 is Now Available in Four Configurations:

  • Standard: sample rate 40 reads/second
  • High-speed: sample rate 500 reads/second
  • High-voltage: sample rate 40 reads/second, floats up to 5 kV DC *
  • High-speed / High-Voltage: sample rate 500 reads/second, floats up to 5 kV DC *

Two Bias Options are available on the Standard and High-speed Models:

  • +90 V Fixed
  • External:  Dual-BNC input (limited to 600 VDC)

For information about why you would use an internal or external bias, please see this blog post.

* High-voltage supply provided by user.
* Bias options not available with high-voltage version.


Complete configuration and ordering information...

Frequently Asked Questions

Datasheet / Specifications

 

Applications

  • Electron & ion current measurements
  • Photodiode current & dark current measurements
    (up to 127 devices at the same time.)
  • Beam and particle monitoring
  • Data logging current comparisons
  • Leakage current testing
  • Mass spectrometer current measurements
  • Materials resistance testing
  • Direct measurement of electron multiplier output (with HV option)
  • High resistance measurement (with HV option)
  • Health and medical diagnostics

Features

  • Accurate Current Measurement: ranges 2 nA to 2 mA, .001 nA to 2.499 mA
  • Programmability: ASCII Command Interface: for user-defined testing and automation as well as integration with third-party instrumentation software
  • Auto or Manual Range: automatic or manual range selection
  • Interval or Single Sampling: take samples of current at timed intervals ranging from 25 ms to 9999 ms per point
  • Automatic Input Grounding: (prevents specimen stage from charging on electron microscopes and vacuum spectrometers)
  • Dual-polarity: measures POS and NEG DC current
  • Optional Bias: use your own isolated voltage source to measure current vs. voltage, or a fixed +90 V bias
  • Optional 5 kV DC Isolation
  • Optional High-speed Sampling: 500 reads/sec.

 

Actuel Data Logging and Graphing Application

Actuel is RBD’s 9103 control and data acquisition application. Actuel provides the interface to RBD’s new 9103 Picoammeter, including a control and display medium for the Picoammeter. It also includes an interface that provides data sampling and recording (data logging). In addition, the software provides a console for accessing advanced features of the Picoammeter, including calibration and diagnostics.

The latest version of Actuel is available here.

 

More Detailed Technical Information and Downloads.

 

Ordering Information

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Part Number Description
9103PR 9103 Picoammeter with Actuel Software, USB cable and low noise BNC Cable.
Includes NIST-traceable calibration certificate.
9103HSPR 9103 Picoammeter, High Speed version with Actuel Software, USB cable and low noise BNC Cable.
Includes NIST-traceable calibration certificate.
91035KPR 9103 Picoammeter, High Voltage (5 kV) option with SHV input and MHV HV connectors on front panel, Actuel Software and USB Cable.
Includes NIST-traceable calibration certificate.
9103HS5KPR 9103 Picoammeter, High Speed, High Voltage (5 kV) option with SHV input and MHV HV connectors on front panel, Actuel Software.and USB Cable.
Includes NIST-traceable calibration certificate.
91035K2XPR 9103 Picoammeter, High Voltage (5 kV) version with Dual SHV Connectors, Actuel Software and USB Cable.
Includes NIST-traceable calibration certificate.
9103HS5K2XPR 9103 Picoammeter, High Speed, High Voltage (5 kV) version with Dual SHV Connectors, Actuel Software and USB Cable.
Includes NIST-traceable calibration certificate.
9103BIASPR +90V Bias Option for 9103 Picoammeter
9103DBPR External Bias Option - with dual BNCs on the front panel of the 9103.
The 9103 floats on the customer’s ground-referenced DC voltage source.
This is the most common external bias option as most voltage sources are reference to ground (not isolated).
9103EXTBIASPR External Bias Option - with BNC connector on back panel of 9103.
The BNC connector on the back of the 9103 connects to the customer’s voltage source,
which needs to be isolated from ground (floating).
9103C 9103 Picoammeter Calibration - Includes NIST-traceable calibration certificate.

 

Application Notes and Whitepapers