PerkinElmer 5182 User manual

Model 5182
Low-Noise Current
Preamplifier
Instruction Manual
222514-A-MNL-C
Copyright © 2000 PERKINELMER CORPORATION

FCC Notice
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio-frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with this manual, may cause interference to radio communications. As
temporarily permitted by regulation, operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to
cause interference, in which case the user at his own facility will be required to take whatever
measures may be required to correct the interference.
Company Names
PerkinElmer Instruments is part of Perkin Elmer, Inc., and includes the businesses formerly trading
as EG&G Princeton Applied Research, EG&G Instruments and EG&G Signal Recovery.
Declaration of Conformity
This product conforms to EC Directives 89/336/EEC Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive,
amended by 92/31/EEC and 93/68/EEC, and Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC amended by
93/68/EEC.
This product has been designed in conformance with the following IEC/EN standards:
EMC: BS EN55011 (1991) Group 1, Class A (CSPIR 11:1990)
BS EN50082-1 (1992):
IEC 801-2:1991
IEC 801-3:1994
IEC 801-4:1988
Safety: BS EN61010-1: 1993 (IEC 1010-1:1990+A1:1992)
Trademarks

is a trademark of PerkinElmer, Inc.

Table of Contents Table of Contents
i
Chapter One, Description
1.1 Description ................................................................................................................................................. 1-1
1.2 Options....................................................................................................................................................... 1-2
Chapter Two, Initial Checks
2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 2-1
2.2 Equipment Needed ...................................................................................................................................... 2-1
2.3 Procedure.................................................................................................................................................... 2-1
Chapter Three, Operating Instructions
3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 3-1
3.1.01 Power Switch..................................................................................................................................... 3-1
3.1.02 Inputs................................................................................................................................................. 3-1
3.1.03 Sensitivity Switch............................................................................................................................... 3-1
3.1.04 Outputs.............................................................................................................................................. 3-1
3.2 Operating the Model 5182........................................................................................................................... 3-2
3.2.01 Introduction........................................................................................................................................ 3-2
3.2.02 Signal Voltage and Gain..................................................................................................................... 3-2
3.3 Battery Operation........................................................................................................................................ 3-2
3.4 External Supply Operation.......................................................................................................................... 3-3
Appendix A, Specifications
Appendix B, External Power Supply
Warranty................................................................................................................................. End of Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ii

Description Chapter 1
1-1
1.1 Description
The 5182 is a current input preamplifier designed for use whenever the signal source is
a current source - for example, with electron multipliers, ion collectors, photo
multipliers and photo diodes. The sensitivity is switch selectable with five settings
enabling the amplifier, on its most sensitive range, to detect fractions of a picoamp
without noise degradation, while on its least sensitive range it can sink currents up to
9 mA without overload.
The instrument has a bandwidth of 25 kHz on its most sensitive range (10-8A/V) and
1 MHz on its least sensitive range (10-5A/V), while still maintaining low input current
noise ranging from 45 fA /√Hz on the 10-8A/V range to 10 pA /√Hz on the 10-5A/V
range. An additional low noise range is provided - denoted 10-8A/V Low Noise, which
features a reduced bandwidth of 10 kHz but with even lower noise.
Front Panel
Rear Panel
Figure 1-1, Model 5182 Low-Noise Current Preamplifier

Chapter 1, DESCRIPTION
1-2
1.2 Options
The model 5182 is supplied complete with four 9 V alkaline batteries. The following
optional extras are available.
Model PS0108 Remote Line Power Supply for the model 5182. See Appendix B
for details of this unit.
Model PS0109 Pack of 20 alkaline batteries for the model 5182
Model C0218 Power cable. This cable allows the user to power the model
5182 from any one of the following PerkinElmer Instruments
(formerly EG&G) Lock-in Amplifiers:
Model 5102, 5104, 5109, 5110, 5205, 5206, 5207, 5208, 5209,
5210, 5302, 7220, 7225, 7260, 7265 or 7280.
Model K0304 Rack mounting kit. This allows 1 or 2 model 5182 preamplifiers
to be mounted in a standard 19" rack.

Initial Checks Chapter 2
2-1
2.1 Introduction
The following procedure is provided to facilitate initial performance checking of the
Model 5182. In general, the procedure should be performed after inspecting the
instrument for shipping damage (any noted to be reported to the carrier and to
PerkinElmer Signal Recovery), but before using it experimentally. Should any
difficulty be encountered in carrying out these checks, contact the factory or one of its
representatives.
2.2 Equipment Needed
1) General purpose laboratory oscilloscope.
2) Signal generator capable of providing a 10 V, 1 V, 100 mV and 10 mV pk-pk
sine wave at 1 kHz, with a variable DC output offset facility.
3) A 1 MΩresistor mounted inside a screened enclosure and connected between the
inner connecting pins of male and female BNC connectors. The outer shield, or
ground, terminals of these connectors should be connected together.
2.3 Procedure
1) Set the front-panel POWER switch to the down (BATTERY) position. Then
press the adjacent POWER TEST button. The associated indicator should light,
indicating that the internal batteries are installed and functioning properly. If the
POWER TEST indicator doesn’t light, refer to section 3.3 for a discussion of the
5182’s battery requirements.
Note: Those users who have purchased the PerkinElmer Instruments external
power supply option can use the external supply to perform the initial checks, in
which case step 1 is replaced by the following operations.
a) Make sure that the voltage selector switch on the external power supply is in
the position indicating the line voltage to be used (110 V AC or 240 V AC).
b) Plug the line cord into the external power supply and the external power
supply into the instrument power socket.
c) Set the POWER switch to the up (EXTERNAL) position. Then press the
adjacent POWER TEST button. The associated indicator should light,
indicating that the external supply is functioning properly.
2) Select the AC sensitivity to 10-5A/V.
3) Connect the oscilloscope to the AC OUTPUT BNC connector.

Chapter 2, INITIAL CHECKS
2-2
4) Set the signal generator to 1 kHz, 10 V pk-pk, and connect it via the 1 MΩBNC
module to the IINPUT BNC connector. Use the oscilloscope to monitor the signal
generator amplitude settings so as to obtain consistency between input settings and
output readings.
5) Monitor the output; the output level should be 1 V pk-pk.
6) Set the signal generator to 1 kHz, 1 V pk-pk. Then set the 5182 AC sensitivity to
10-6A/V and monitor the output; the output level should be 1 V pk-pk.
7) Set the signal generator to 1 kHz, 100 mV pk-pk. Then set the 5182 AC sensitivity
to 10-7A/V and monitor the output; the output level should be 1 V pk-pk.
8) Apply a 5 V DC offset to signal generator output signal and monitor the
DC OUTPUT BNC connector with the oscilloscope; the output level should be
5 V DC.
9) Remove the DC offset from the signal generator output and reconnect the
oscilloscope to the AC OUTPUT BNC connector.
10) Set the signal generator to 1 kHz, 10 mV pk-pk. Then set the 5182 AC sensitivity
to 10-8A/V and monitor the output; the output level should be 1 V pk-pk.
11) Set the signal generator to 1 kHz, 10 mV pk-pk. Then set the 5182 AC sensitivity
to 10-8A/V LOW NOISE and monitor the output; the output level should be 1 V
pk-pk.
12) Return the power switch to the center (OFF) position.
This completes the initial checks. If the instrument performed as indicated, one can be
reasonably sure that it has arrived in good working order and is functioning properly.

Operating Instructions Chapter 3
3-1
3.1 Introduction
The Model 5182 has been designed to be extremely easy to setup and use. It can be
powered from an external source or from internal alkaline cells as selected from a
front-panel switch. In operation, the signal to be measured is to the input BNC
connector. The output is cabled directly to the input of the lock-in amplifier or other
instrument with which the 5182 is to be used.
3.1.01 Power Switch
The three-position power switch allows EXTERNAL, OFF, or BATTERY to be
selected. To operate the Model 5182 from an external power source, set the switch to
the up position. To operate the 5182 from internal batteries, set the switch to the down
position. In the center position, the 5182 is unpowered. The status of the selected
power source can be ascertained at a glance by pressing the POWER TEST button;
the adjacent LED will light if the power source voltage, whether the external supply or
internal batteries, is above the minimum required value for reliable operation.
3.1.02 Inputs
The 5182 INPUT connector is at virtual ground. It is DC coupled and is capable of
sinking considerably more DC current than the AC current which it is measuring. The
current source should be connected to the input by means of a low noise coaxial cable
and BNC connector. Since cable capacitance can cause frequency response peaking,
the cable length should be kept as short as possible, particularly on the more sensitive
ranges.
3.1.03 Sensitivity Switch
The five position sensitivity switch provides a trade-off facility between sensitivity,
noise, bandwidth and DC overload capability. AC sensitivity is switchable in decade
steps from 10-5A/V to 10-8A/V with an additional low noise 10-8A/V setting. The
corresponding DC sensitivity ranges from 10-3A/V to 10-8A/V.
3.1.04 Outputs
Two BNC output connectors are provided; one representing the AC signal current and
one representing the DC signal current. The AC Output can deliver >10 V pk-pk into
loads >100 kΩ. The 450 Ωoutput impedance provides a convenient 10:1 output
attenuator if the amplifier is loaded with 50 Ω, which can be useful if the 5182 is
required to drive coaxial cable lengths of greater than one meter at signal frequencies
approaching 1 MHz. The DC output provides a useful bias current monitor in several
applications. It can output > ±9 V from an output resistance of 10 kΩinto loads
>1 MΩ

Chapter 3, OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
3-2
3.2 Operating the Model 5182
3.2.01 Introduction
The instrument is powered as required either from the self-contained batteries, from
the preamplifier power-socket of a compatible lock-in amplifier (Models 7265, 7220,
5110, 5210, etc), or from an external power supply, and the signal to be amplified is
applied to the input connector; the amplified signal is available at the AC OUTPUT
BNC connector through a resistance of 450 Ω.
Note: Before operating from the external power supply (Appendix A), make sure
the voltage selector switch on the external power supply is in the position
indicating the line voltage to be used, and be sure the proper size line fuse is
installed (200 mA for 110 V operation or 100 mA for 240 V operation). Operating
from too high a line voltage will blow the line fuse and possibly damage the power
transformer and circuit components.
3.2.02 Signal Voltage and Gain
The gain selector accurately sets the gain to the indicated level. The maximum output
that the amplifier can provide is 10 V pk-pk into a high impedance load. For maximum
input currents, refer to the specifications.
3.3 Battery Operation
In battery powered operation, the 5182 requires four 9 V alkaline cells (type NEDA
1604, PP3 or equivalent). Each battery fits into its own removable tray accessible
from the rear panel. When they are exhausted, all four batteries should be replaced
together. Care should be taken when exchanging the batteries to observe the correct
polarity which is marked on the inside of the battery trays and the top of the batteries.
The batteries will provide up to fifteen hours operation at 1 V rms. output level.
Nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries can be used if preferred, but there will be a
penalty of a reduction in the operating time obtained. In addition it will be necessary to
recharge these batteries in an external charger.
Figure 3-1, Required Battery Type