PDA8000 Photocurrent Measurement Modules

Overview
Specs
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PRO8 Series Options^a
Laser Diode Current Controllers (Up to 8 A)
TEC Temperature Controllers (Up to 64 W)
Combination Laser Diode Current (Up to 1 A) & TEC Temperature Controllers (Up to 16 W)
DWDM DFB Laser Modules^b
Optical Switches
Photocurrent Measurement Modules

Our PRO8 Series Chassis can accommodate multiple PRO8 Series Modules, allowing for a customized telecom solution.
Please contact Tech Support for availability of desired wavelength.

Features

7 Current Measurement Ranges from 10 nA to 10 mA DC, with 16-Bit Resolution
Resolution: 0.1 pA on the 10 nA Scale
Accuracy: ±0.025% of Full-Scale Reading (For Current Ranges > 1 µA)
Single & Dual Channel Versions

Introduction
The PDA8000 Photocurrent Measurement Module for the PRO8 Platform is an ideal companion for our other PRO8 Series plug-in modules. It uses a DC transimpedance amplifier to provide precise photocurrent measurements from a few pA to 10 mA with input frequencies up to 20 Hz at the lowest amplification setting. A 16-bit A/D converter is used to ensure a measurement resolution of ±0.025% of the full scale reading (ranges >1 µA). These features, combined with the built-in low noise photo diode bias, make this instrument an ideal photo diode current amplifier.

Optical Power Read-out
With calibrated photo diodes, the PDA8000 modules facilitate direct read-out of optical power. Through the input screen of the PRO8 Platform a “photodiode responsivity” value can be entered. This allows the direct entry of standard calibration data provided by photo diode manufacturers when a calibrated diode is purchased.

Computer Control IEEE-488.2
All of the PDA8000 module functions can be accessed via the IEEE-488 interface of the PRO8 chassis. This includes access to the calibration factor, the photodiode bias voltage, all of the measurement control parameters, and the measurement results.

Precision Optical Measurements
The variable photodiode bias allows operating in either a photovoltaic or photoconductive mode. The bias also reduces the junction capacitance of the diode thus improving the linearity of the detector when making measurements over many decades. Additionally there is a front panel trim-pot that is used to null out the photo diode dark current typical for semiconductor optical sensors.

User-Friendly Controls
The PRO8 display menu allows configuration of any module in the chassis. The operational parameters are easily accessed using mnemonic symbols and simple prompts provide user-friendly operation. All settings are retained in memory and automatically recalled upon powering on the mainframe, as long as modules are not being moved to a different slot.

Item #	PDA8000-1	PDA8000-2
Photo Diode Current Measurement Range	10 nA - 10 mA (Others on Request)
Photo Diode Polarity	User Selectable
Bias Voltage Setting Range (can be switched off)	0.1 V to 10 V
Photo Diode Coefficient Setting Range	0.001 - 5.000 A/W
Input Resistance	Virtual Ground
Temperature Coefficient	≤50 ppm/°C
Bandwidth	DC to 20 Hz (Lowest Amplification)
General Data
Module Width	1 PRO8 Slot
Photo Diode Connectors	1xBNC	2xBNC
Channels	Single	Double

All Data Valid at 23 ± 5 °C and 45 ± 15% rel. Humidity

PDA8000 Measurement Range
Measurement Range	Resolution	Accuracy
10 mA	0.1 µA	±0.025% Full Scale
1 mA	10 nA	±0.025% Full Scale
100 µA	1 nA	±0.025% Full Scale
10 µA	0.1 nA	±0.025% Full Scale
1 µA	10 pA	±0.025% Full Scale
100 nA	1 pA	±0.25% Full Scale
10 nA	0.1 pA	±0.8% Full Scale

All Data Valid at 23 ± 5 °C and 45 ± 15% rel. Humidity

Photodiode Connector

BNC Female

Photodiodes can be connected to the BNC jacks of an input with both polarities.
The outer conductor of the BNC jack is always grounded.
Input Current Range: 10 nA - 10 mA

Posted Comments:

yuval (posted 2016-07-30 14:32:25.09)

Greetings, It is not clear to me how the PD connects Please advise how a reversed baised photodiode should be connected to the device. Have you a PDF manual that you can share? Thanks Yuval Sharon CSTM LTD

shallwig (posted 2016-08-01 10:15:40.0)

This is a response from Stefan at Thorlabs. Thank you very much for your inquiry. The PDF manual can be found at following link https://www.thorlabs.com/_sd.cfm?path=7100&filename=7169-D02.pdf&partnumber=PDA8000-1 From page 7 it is described how to connect the photodiode. Photodiodes can be connected to the BNC jacks of an input with both polarities. The outer conductor of the BNC jack is always grounded. I have contacted you directly to check if you have any further questions.

user (posted 2014-10-14 08:06:38.44)

How does the bandwidth depend on the measurement range ? You provide this information for a) benchtop photodiode amplifier and b) integrated photodiodes with TIA, but not these cards....please can you add this information to the Specs tab. All you state is DC to 20Hz at the lowest range...but usually it depends on the measurement range.

shallwig (posted 2014-10-15 09:56:06.0)

This is a response from Stefan at Thorlabs. Thank you very much for your inquiry. You are right in general the bandwidth depends on the measurement range. But here the limit comes from the sampling rate of the built in A/D converter, the display and the RS232 interface for remote control. These cards have in contrast to the PDA200C no analog output available for reading out faster than the specified 20Hz. Therefore we do not specify the data of the input stage. But for orientation you can use the data provided in the manual of the PDA200C on page 15 http://www.thorlabs.de/thorcat/15900/PDA200C-Manual.pdf The ranges are very similar and for the 10nA range you can expect 200Hz.

Greg (posted 2010-04-01 11:08:21.0)

A response from Greg at Thorlabs to qianjianjun668: We have updated this web page to reflect the bandwidth of the PDA8000-1 and PDA8000-2. This will also be specified in our future catalogs.

julien (posted 2010-04-01 09:52:30.0)

A response from Julien at Thorlabs: PDA8000 are DC transimpedance amplifiers. The frequency range spans from DC to 20Hz, depending on the measurement range. the maximum Bandwidth, corresponding to the lowest amplification setting, is thus 20Hz.

qianjianjun668 (posted 2010-04-01 03:28:07.0)

PDA8000 Photocurrent Measurement Modules PDA8000-1 PDA8000-2 range of frequencies (cut off) is??? Bandwidth (-3 dB) is ??? Look forward to your reply

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PDA8000 Photocurrent Measurement Modules

Features

Photodiode Connector

BNC Female