Focus on Test and Measurement

The descriptions of the new products listed in this section are based on information supplied to us by the manufacturers. Physics Today can assume no responsibility for their accuracy. To facilitate inquiries about a particular product, a Reader Service Card is attached inside the back cover of the magazine.

Digital oscilloscopes

LeCroy has released the WavePro 7100 (1 GHz) and 7300 (3 GHz) digital storage oscilloscopes (DSOs). They incorporate the company’s X-Stream technology with which data records are packetized and streamed to the microprocessor for very fast analysis that optimizes the use of cache memory. Sampling rate of the four-channel DSOs is 10 gigasamples/s, which allows them to acquire up to 24 megapoints. When either the 7100 or 7300 is operated in a two-channel mode, the maximum sample rate is 20 GS/s and as many as 48 megapoints can be acquired; intermediate memory choices of 2, 8, and 16 Mpts per channel are available. For the new DSOs, LeCroy can provide its X-MAP package of advanced capabilities, which include the same three options offered on the company’s top-of-the-line WaveMaster oscilloscopes. LeCroy Corp, 700 Chestnut Ridge Road, Chestnut Ridge, New York 10977-6499, http://www.lecroy.com

Circle number 181 on Reader Service Card

Count rate-to-analog converter

Advanced Research Instruments has introduced the CRA-100, a count rate-to-analog converter. Featuring a free-running counter/timer continuously updating a D/A converter after each selected time base period, the CRA-100 outputs an analog signal representing counts per time base (in comparison to a conventional rate meter that reads counts per second only). The new instrument offers a maximum count rate of 100 MHz, a pulse-pair resolution of 10 ns, a short conversion (dead) time of 300 ns, and a rapid analog-output update of 10 µs. Its time base will produce a 10-V output for 1024 (10 bits) counts/s for low count rates and 16 384 (14 bits) counts/s for high count rates. The CRA-100 has applications in x-ray, photon, and ion counting, spectrometer automation, and count rate-based feedback/servo control. Advanced Research Instruments Corp, 5151 Ward Road, Suite 1, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, 80021, http://www.aricorp.com

Circle number 182 on Reader Service Card

Reference multimeter

The Fluke model 8508A is an 8.5-digit resolution multimeter designed specifically for metrologists who must meet the stringent measurement uncertainty analysis requirements of ISO 17025. Providing reference standard accuracy, the 8508A can operate as a multimeter, resistance bridge, voltage divider, null detector, AC/DC transfer standard, precision thermometer, and current comparator. Functions include DC voltage, DC current, AC voltage, AC current, resistance, and a temperature readout for a variety of platinum resistance thermometers. Because the instrument treats stability with the same priority as accuracy, it demonstrates a 24-hour stability of 0.5 ppm and a 365-day stability as low as 2.7 ppm. As an option, the 8508A can be equipped with a duplicate set of rear input terminals. Fluke Corp, 6920 Seaway Boulevard, Everett, Washington 98203, http://www.fluke.com

Circle number 183 on Reader Service Card

Current monitor

The CM-1-MGS5 current monitor from Ion Physics Corp (IPC) measures AC and pulse currents without physically contacting the conductor; thus ground loops and interference noise are eliminated. The IPC current monitors measure current by sensing the magnetic field surrounding the current-carrying conductor or charged-particle beam. This monitor has a peak current rating of 50 kA, a rise time of 20 ns, a 3-dB bandwidth that extends from 0.7 Hz to 25 MHz, and an AC saturation (I_peak/frequency) of 5 ampere seconds. With an inner diameter of 3.2 cm, the electrostatically-shielded CM-1-MGS5 provides an output voltage that is equal to the current times its sensitivity (V/A ratio) of 10 mV/A. The accuracy of conversion is ±0.5%, measured at 400 Hz. Ion Physics Corp, P.O. Box 165, 336 Main Street, Fremont, New Hampshire 03044, http://www.ionphysics.com

Circle number 184 on Reader Service Card

Automated temperature calibration

Hart Scientific has consolidated its earlier software temperature calibration systems into a new package called MET/TEMP II, which supports a wide variety of the company’s thermometer readouts and is capable of being integrated with Fluke’s MET/TRACK. The new software can test thermocouples of all types, resistance temperature detectors, standard platinum resistance thermometers, thermistors, and even liquid-in-glass thermometers. Virtually any sensor with a resistance or voltage output, and up to 100 sensors at a time, can be tested. Users can select as few as one or as many as 40 temperatures at which to test the sensors. The MET/TEMP II software enables ITS-90 coefficient and residual calculations and generates corresponding tables and reports. Hart Scientific, 799 East Utah Valley Drive, American Fork, Utah 84003-9775, http://www.hartscientific.com

Circle number 185 on Reader Service Card

Oscilloscope probes

Yokogawa Corp of America has released a new differential probe, the 701921, and has made improvements to two existing differential probes, the 700924 and 700925. All three probes can be powered using the probe power ports incorporated into all of the company’s digital storage oscilloscopes. The 701921 operates from DC to 100 MHz and has 100:1 and 10:1 attenuation settings. It can measure differential and common mode voltages up to ±700 V when set at 100:1. The 700924 can also be used from DC to 100 MHz, but has 1000:1 and 100:1 attenuation settings and allows a maximum voltage of ±1400 V in differential and common modes. The 700925 probe operates from DC to 15 MHz, and has 100:1 and 10:1 attenuation settings with a rating of up to ±500 V in differential and common modes. Yokogawa Corp of America, 2 Dart Road, Newnan, Georgia 30265, http://www.us.yokogawa.com

Circle number 186 on Reader Service Card

Laser diode test systems

Keithley Instruments has announced the System 25, a customizable test system for the light-current-voltage (LIV) characterization of laser diodes and assembled laser diode modules. It works by sweeping a forward current through the laser diode while measuring the voltage across the device and the amount of light being emitted. All laser diodes, including edge emitters, vertical cavity emitting lasers, and tunable lasers, must undergo LIV testing. The System 25 provides up to 5-A laser drive current, precision voltmeters, two channels of photodetection for selectable photodiode detector types, up to two temperature controllers for laser cooling, and an optional laser diode mount. A system can be specified in any of 144 combinations that use the company’s instruments and meters. Keithley Instruments Inc, 28775 Aurora Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44139-1891, http://www.keithley.com

Circle number 187 on Reader Service Card

Superconducting magnet power supply

Lake Shore Cryotronics has introduced the model 625 superconducting magnet power supply that offers linear regulation and an analog, rather than a switch-mode, output stage. The supply can deliver up to ±60 A at a compliance voltage of ±5 V with the supply acting as both a source and a sink. To furnish a bipolar output into a load reactance of 0–100 H requires the 625 to provide true four-quadrant operation. The 625 incorporates a 20-bit D/A converter for internal current settings that enable a resolution of 0.1 mA. The settings can be made through a keypad, computer interface, or a trigger input. An internal current ramp comprising five segments offers ramp rates of 0.1 mA/s to a maximum value set by the voltage compliance limit. Two units can be paralleled for 120-A/5-V operation. Lake Shore Cryotronics Inc, 575 McCorkle Boulevard, Westerville, Ohio 43082, http://www.lakeshore.com

Circle number 188 on Reader Service Card

Temperature controllers

ILX Lightwave’s LDT-5948 and LDT-5980 temperature controllers are designed for laser diodes and fiberoptic components in both low- and high-power applications. The instruments incorporate proportional-integral-derivative closed-loop control with digital pulse-width-modulation current control for thermoelectric (TE) modules, and can be used with thermistors and IC and platinum resistance sensors. Both controllers can cover the temperature range of −50 to +250°C with a thermistor sensor. The LDT-5948 is a 60-W unit for internal TE control; the LDT-5980 can supply 120 W (−10 to +10 A) for external TE control in light-current-voltage test applications that require multiple test temperatures. Additional features include four-wire sensor measurements and an AC resistance measurement for characterizing a TE module. ILX Lightwave Corp, P.O. Box 6310, Bozeman, Montana 59771, http://www.ilxlightwave.com

Circle number 189 on Reader Service Card

Fluoroptic thermometry module

Luxtron has released the m600 Developer’s Kit which includes everything required to set up the company’s fluoroptic thermometry (FOT) system and then measure temperature with it. The centerpiece of the kit is a non-metallic, nonconductive, general purpose FOT immersion probe with a measurement range of 0–250°C and a response time of 5 s in still air and 0.7 s in stirred water. The kit is available in one-, two-, or four-channel versions and incorporates the company’s TrueTemp software. A number of custom probes have been developed for a wide range of temperatures from −100 to 330°C and vacuum applications to 10⁻¹⁰ torr. The m600 OEM module supports a variety of applications in which EMI immunity and the stability of FOT minimize problems encountered with conventional sensors. Luxtron Corp, 3033 Scott Boulevard, Santa Clara, California 95054-3316, http://www.luxtron.com

Circle number 190 on Reader Service Card

Function generator

Novatech Instruments has announced the model 2904A, a digitally synthesized function generator with a frequency range of 1 Hz–10 MHz in 1 µHz steps (48-bit resolution using the 1-ppm internal clock). The instrument generates sine and cosine waveforms at amplitudes up to 20 V peak-peak, along with a TTL-compatible square wave output; the amplitude control has 12-bit resolution. Other waveforms include sweep, chirp, frequency-sweep keying (FSK), and ramped FSK. Phase can be controlled to 14 bits of resolution. The 2904A can also use an external frequency source to optimize frequency range and accuracy. RS232 commands are used to program the output; menu-driven Microsoft Windows serial control software is included. Novatech Instruments Inc, P.O. Box 55997, Seattle, Washington 98155-0997, http://www.novatech-instr.com

Circle number 191 on Reader Service Card

Mueller matrix polarimeter

The Axometrics Mueller Matrix Polarimeter can be used to test retarders, polarizers, liquid crystals, and fiber devices. To simultaneously measure all the polarization properties of a sample, the polarimeter provides information on retardance (polarization rotation) magnitude, linear and circular diattenuation components, polarization-dependent loss, polarizer contrast ratio and extinction ratio, depolarization index, and average transmitted degree of polarization. The standard models cover the wavelength range of 400–1800 nm. They feature fast measurement speed (15 measurements per second), ideal for translating the polarimeter across samples and providing for an averaging of measurements for increased precision. Axometrics, 102A Wynn Drive, Huntsville, Alabama 35805, http://www.axometrics.com

Circle number 192 on Reader Service Card

New literature

FEMTO Messtechnik has published a Short Form Product Overview 2003, which describes a full range of low-noise and high-speed transimpedance amplifiers, and voltage amplifiers that operate from low frequency up to GHz. There are also lock-in amplifiers in module or single-board form and photo receivers for various wavelengths. FEMTO Messtechnik GmbH, Paul-Lincke-Ufer 34, 10999 Berlin, Germany, http://www.femto.de

Circle number 193 on Reader Service Card

Alfa Aesar has issued its 2003/2004 Organics, Inorganics, Metals, and Materials Catalog. It presents more than 1200 new products and the entire range of Avocado Organic compounds. Also included are thousands of additional lines of technical data, physical property information, and synonyms for many of the entries. Alfa Aesar, 26 Park Ridge Road, Ward Hill, Massachusetts 01835, http://www.alfa.com

Circle number 194 on Reader Service Card