Thorlabs - Benchtop Photodiode Amplifier

Features

Transimpedance Photocurrent Amplifier
Extremely Low Noise Operation Over Entire Dynamic Range
5 Digit Display with up to 10 pA Resolution
Supports Single Point Power Calibration
Supports Both Photodiode Polarities (CG and AG)
Adjustable Bias Voltage
Offset Compensation for Input Amplifier and Photodiode Dark Current
RoHS Compliant

The PDA200C Photodiode Amplifier is ideally suited for ultra low noise amplification of very small photodiode currents. It offers six current ranges from 100 nA to 10 mA full scale and provides a maximum display resolution of 10 pA. The unit supports cathode grounded (CG) and anode grounded (AG) photodiodes. This amplifier may be operated in either photovoltaic or photoconductive mode. The adjustable bias voltage provides improved linearity of the responsivity and increased frequency response. This photodiode amplifier is compatible with all of Thorlabs' mounted photodiodes. Our SM05-threaded mounted photodiodes feature a female SMA connector; to convert to BNC either an adapter cable or electrical adapter may be used.

With the updated PDA200C Series, our Photocurrent Amplifier is RoHS compliant. Additionally, the current measurement ranges were changed. The rest of the features are virtually the same as the former PDA200 Series.

PDA200C Specifications
Full Scale Current Measurement Ranges	100 nA to 10 mA (in Decade Steps)
Maximum Resolution	10 pA
Display Range	0 to 10000 (CG) 0 to -10000 (AG)
Polarity of the Photodiode	Cathode Grounded (CG) Anode Grounded (AG)
Bias Voltage	0 to -10 V (CG) 0 to +10 V (AG)
Photodiode Sensitivity (for Calibrated Power Display)	0.05 to 2 A/W
Max. Photodiode Capacitance for Frequency Compensated Operation	10 nF
Temperature Coefficient	<50 ppm/°C
Input Impedance	~0 Ω (Virtual Ground)
Photo Current Monitor Output
Output Voltage Range (Analog Output)	0 to +10 V (CG) 0 to -10 V (AG)
Conversion Coefficient	1 x 10³ to 1 x 10⁸ (Depending on Measurement Range)
Conversion Coefficient Accuracy	±5%
Noise	≤0.02% (RMS, Full Scale of Current Measurement Range)
Load Resistance	>10 kΩ
General Data
Display	LED, 5 Digits
Connectors for Photodiode Input and Analog Output	BNC
Chassis Ground Connector	4 mm Banana Jack
Line Voltage/ Frequency	100 V, 115 V, 230 V +15% -10% each/ 50 to 60 Hz
Maximum Power Consumption	10 VA
Operating Temperature	0 to +40 °C
Storage Temperature	-40 to +70 °C
Warm-up Time for Rated Accuracy	10 min
Weight	<3 kg
Dimensions without Operating Elements (W x H x D )	146 x 66 x 290 mm³
Dimensions with Operating Elements (W x H x D )	146 x 77 x 320 mm³

Measurement Range	Resolution	Accuracy	Analog PD Current Output
Measurement Range	Resolution	Accuracy	Conversion Coefficient	Bandwidth*
10 mA	1 µA	± 0.05% f.s.	1 x 10³ V/A ±5%	500 kHz
1 mA	100 nA	± 0.05% f.s.	1 x 10⁴ V/A ±5%	250 kHz
100 µA	10 nA	± 0.05% f.s.	1 x 10⁵ V/A ±5%	70 kHz
10 µA	1 nA	± 0.05% f.s.	1 x 10⁶ V/A ±5%	20 kHz
1 µA	100 pA	± 0.05% f.s.	1 x 10⁷ V/A ±5%	5 kHz
100 nA	10 pA	± 0.1% f.s.	1 x 10⁸ V/A ±5%	1 kHz

*Small signal 3 dB bandwidth of the analog output

Photodiode Input

BNC Female

Input Range: 100 nA ... 10 mA

Analog Control Output

BNC Female

0 - ±10 V, Input Resistance should be ≥ 10 kΩ.

PDA200C	Part
x	PDA200C Photodiode Amplifier
x	Operating Manual
x	Power Cord

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Posted Comments:

Poster: tschalk

Posted Date: 2012-12-06 03:17:00.0

This is a response from Thomas at Thorlabs. Thank you very much for your inquiry. The PDA200C is immediately ready to use after turning on the device. It makes no difference if you connect the photodiode before or after turning on the amplifier and it is independent of using a bias voltage. If you have to turn the device off and on again for getting a measurement indicates that something is wrong with the connection or with the device itself. I will contact you directly to discuss this issue. Best Regards, Thomas

Poster: sal.leap

Posted Date: 2012-12-03 13:47:32.817

I have a few PDA 200C that I have to recycle the power to the unit to get power readings from a FDG-50 large area detector. I have an external power source aimed at the LAD but the PDA 200C does not display any power. But when I recycle the power to the amplifier it shows detected power. Regards, Sal (Process Engineer, Molex)

Poster: tcohen

Posted Date: 2012-05-23 11:28:00.0

Response from Tim at Thorlabs: Thank you for sharing your ideas! Because these changes cannot be directly integrated into the current model, these suggestions would involve a full redesign of the PDA200C. Currently, our engineers are fully engaged in the development of new products, but based on your suggestions we have opened a discussion so that we may start the development of this as a future project and offer these features in a PDA200C successor.

Poster: acable

Posted Date: 2012-05-22 10:00:54.0

It would be great to have an indicator that tells the user what gain step the PDA200C is set to, when making a complex series of measurements that require changes in gain this feature would be really welcome. The current design uses 3 LEDs with 2 steps per LED which is difficult in a real world application to track. Smaller point, a number of your SI photodiodes are spec'd at 20V bias but the PDA200 only goes to 10V, i am assuming you would spec your diodes at their optimal bias hence i feel that i am not getting the best possible performance from my setup. Please consider increasing the bias to 20 V. Sincerely grateful for your attention!

Poster: jjwang

Posted Date: 2012-05-15 13:50:11.0

Dear Sir/Madam, We had a problem with PDA200C and it reports "Err06". Would you please provide us the solution to sort out this problem. Best Regards, Dr Jing Jing Wang Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices Trinity College Dublin Dublin 2 Ireland Telephone: 0035318964633 (Office) 0035318964617 (Photonics Laboratory) Email: jjwang@tcd.ie

Poster: tcohen

Posted Date: 2012-05-15 10:17:00.0

Response from Tim at Thorlabs: Thank you for contacting us. The “Err06” error message indicates a malfunction of the PCB in the device and we will need to take it in to repair. We will contact you with information and instructions.

Poster: julien

Posted Date: 2010-04-22 09:44:53.0

A response from Julien at Thorlabs: "Err06" is displayed on the unit when an electronic problem occurs on the PCB leading to a malfunction of the PDA200C. The unit thus needs to be sent to us for repair. For errors not listed, the manual recommend to contact directly tech support, since those errors cannot be fixed by the user. I will contact you directly to initiate the return procedure.

Poster: davepatterson99

Posted Date: 2010-04-21 12:22:52.0

I have a PDA 200 C. When I turn it on (no diode connected) it says "Err06". Your manual says nothing about "Err06". This is terrible! The unit is quite new (about one year). Please send me the real manual?

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Benchtop Photodiode Amplifier

Features

Photodiode Input

BNC Female

Analog Control Output

BNC Female