Test Interfaces Alpha-A

Novocontrol Technologie

Test Interfaces for Alpha-A
Modular Measurement System
Concepts
FeaturesPrinciples of Operation
Application Examples

Introduction
When Novocontrol introduced
the Alpha analyzer in 1998, it
was soon accepted by mostresearchers as the mostaccurate and versatile analysis
tool for dielectric, conductivity
and impedance spectroscopy.
The Alpha analyzer combines aseries of exceptional features
like ultra wide impedance range,
frequency range and highaccuracy in a fully automatedstraightforward to handle
instrument [1].
These properties result in a
new level of performance
especially for dielectric
spectroscopy applications which
are most demanding tomeasurement equipment.
Especially low loss dielectrics
and samples with thermally
activated isolator conductortransition can be characterized
over a broad frequency andtemperature range which was
not possible before the Alphaanalyzer came to the market.
In addition, the typicalfunctionality of a standard
impedance analyzer for low
impedance samples is
supported. The Alpha analyzer
is therefore not only the optimal
tool for dielectric spectroscopy
but due its exceptional overall
performance used by many
researches and engineers as an
improved analysis tool for otherapplications, too.
Examples are sensor
characterizations where small
capacities have to be measured
with high precision, analysis ofsemiconductors, electronic
components, bio materials,
proteins, organic tissues,
cellulose and papers,
conductive polymers andorganics, ion conductors, fuelcells, power lines, transformer
oils and self restoring fuses.

New Alpha-A series
combines highest overall
performance for bothgeneral purpose andspecial applications

Alpha-A MainframeHigh Voltage
Sample Cell

High Level
GPIB
CommandSet
PC with Novocontrol
or User Software

G22 Frequency
Response
Interface

HVB 1000 and
HVB 300
High Voltage
Dielectric/
Impedance
Interfaces

Nevertheless, customers often
demanded to combine the Alphaanalyzer's exceptional overall
performance with additional
special functionality like e.g.,
extended voltage and current
range, non linear analysis, highimpedance 3- and 4-electrodemeasurement set-ups, fastmeasurement rates and DC
measurement functionality
including potentiostat andgalvanostat control functions.
From this, the problem arisesthat due to technical andeconomical limitations it isdifficult to implement thisfunctionality in a single
instrument.
With the Alpha-A series which
improves the performance of theAlpha analyzer introduced in
1998, Novocontrol now launches
a new modular solution which
implements all the special
applications stated above. The
new series is realized as
modular measurement system
based on an Alpha-A analyzer
mainframe unit which can be

Test Interfaces

ZG2
Dielectric/
Impedance
GeneralPurposeInterface
ZGS Dielectric/
Impedance Active
Sample Cell

ZG42, 3, 4 wire
Dielectric/
Impedance
Interface

BDS 1200
Sample Cell

POT/GAL 30V-2A and
POT/GAL 15V-10A
Potentiostat
Galvanostat
Electrochemical/
Impedance/
DielectricInterfaces

Fig.1. Alpha-A modular series with mainframe and available test interfaces optimized for special applications.

Test Interfaces Alpha-A

connected to a series of test
interfaces which are optimized
for special functionality. In
contrast to many other solutions,
all test interfaces are not limited
to special functionality but offer
highest accuracy, wide
impedance and frequency
range, too. With this, allinterfaces are well suited for awide range of material
measurements from conductors
to isolators.
This article gives an overview
on the new features of theAlpha-A series with the focus on
the test interfaces and somebasic applications. A summary
including main functions and key
specifications can be found intab. 1 at the end of this article.
The basic concepts, featuresand principles of operation of
the Alpha-A series and theeconomical Alpha and Beta
series can be found in the
Novocontrol technical brochure"Alpha-A, Alpha and Beta High
Performance Dielectric,
Conductivity andElectrochemical Impedance
Analyzers".

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test interfaces (except G22)
support measurements of thesample voltage and current interms of DC components,
harmonic base waves andhigher harmonics up to theinterface high frequency limit.
Non linear evaluation is fully
supported by the Novocontrol
WinDETA software, which reads
and graphically displays all
voltage and current base, andhigher harmonic components. In
addition, other parameters like
DC material parameters, linear
impedance, permittivity,
conductivity and thecorresponding higher harmonic
terms are processed.
The higher harmonic current*
components I n(ω) are calculatedby the Alpha analyzer like thebase wave (n=1) by complex
Fourier Transform from thesampled current i(t), where ndenotes harmonic n-1

I n* (ω ) =2 nTi(t ) exp( jnωt ) dt .
nT ∫0

u(t)

Interface
Polarization
LayersU0

Extended voltage andcurrent ranges
The two high voltage interfaces
HVB 300 and HVB 1000
produce output voltage up to±150 VP or ±500 VP respectively.
For high current applications,the two POT/GAL 30V-2A with
±2 A and POT/GAL 15V-10A
with ±10 A are available. Within
the stated limits any
combination of AC and DC
voltage or current is supported.
Extended output signals
maybe advantageously appliedfor• non linear dielectric,
conductivity and impedance
spectroscopy;• test of materials under stress;• evaluation of extreme high(high voltage) or low impedance(high current) materials;• special technical materials likee.g. fuel cell characterization
with the POT/GAL 15V-10A
interface.

Non linear dielectric,
conductivity and
impedance spectroscopyWith the new Alpha-A series,
Novocontrol introduces for the
first time a turnkey commercial
solution for non linear dielectric,
conductivity and impedance
spectroscopy. For this purpose,
the Alpha-A mainframe and all

This presumption does nothold if at the electrode sample
interface electricalinhomogeneous layers exist
which create a significant
voltage drop and by this reducethe E-field in the sample. Suchlayers may be created by• accumulation of ions at theelectrode for ion conductors likee.g. electrolytes and manyliquids (water, electrodepolarization);• bad electrode sample contact
connections (contact
impedance).
Similar effects may be createdby none zero impedance of thecables from the electrodes tothe analyzer voltage and current
terminals for low impedance
samples.
These effects can be inprinciple cancelled out if
separate electrodes for the
sample current and voltage
measurement are used asshown in fig. 3.
SamplePlate
Ring
Electrodes
ElectrodestSampleCapacitori(t)Current Base
Wave

V+
Ug

V-

-

Us =
V+ - V-Is

Current 1.
Harmonict

T=2π/ω

Fig. 2. Sample voltage with non
linear response current, current
harmonic base wave and firstharmonic.

Electrode / interface
polarization effects
In a measurement of a material
prepared between parallel plateelectrodes with spacing d, thecomplex permittivity or
conductivity is evaluated fromthe phase sensitive
measurement of the electrodes
voltage difference US andcurrent IS. This method
presumes that the applied
voltage US drops homogeneously within the material bycreating a constant electric field
E=US/d.

2

Fig. 3. Principle set-up of a fourelectrode impedance
measurement for electrode sample interface and cableeffects compensation.
The outer two electrodes
correspond to the parallel platesof a standard 2-electrodeconfiguration. The voltage ismeasured by two additional (e.g.
ring or needle) electrodes in the
inner sample area where nointerface effects exist and thefield is homogenous.
If the two voltages aremeasured by an instrument with
infinite input impedance, nocurrent flows in the voltage
electrodes and therefore no ionscan accumulate. Due to the zerocurrent, existing contact or cable
impedance do not create avoltage drop, too. In this case,the electrical parameters of thematerial portion between thevoltage electrodes can beevaluated without interface

Test Interfaces Alpha-A

polarization and contact or cableeffects from the voltage
difference between the voltage
electrodes and the current
flowing through the outerelectrodes. The only, but inpractice crucial and not always
fulfilled presumption is thesufficient high input impedanceof the voltage channels.
The ZG4 and POT/GAL
interfaces can in addition to 2wire- be configured for 3-, or 4wire measurements. Their input
12
impedance is higher as 10 Ω inparallel with 10 pF which
exceeds the range of mostcompeting instruments byseveral orders of magnitude andtherefore can be seen as amajor improvement inbroadband 3- and 4-electrodedielectric, conductivity and
impedance measurements.
On the other hand, especiallyfor high impedance samples athigh frequencies the 10 pF input
capacity may be in the sameorder of magnitude as the
sample capacity and may
contribute to the measured
result. 3- and 4-four electrodemeasurements therefore inpractice always require a
detailed analysis of the currents
flowing into the voltage terminals
and the related voltage drop at
contacts or electrode interfaces.

Electrochemical
characterizations
3- and 4-electrodearrangements are often used forelectrochemical studies too,
where one is not so muchinterested in the bulk electrolyte
but especially in the propertiesof the polarization layer at themetal to electrolyte or ion
conductor interface and therelated chemical reactions. Thisis just the opposite to dielectric,
conductivity and impedancematerial spectroscopy wherethese effects are known aselectrode polarization which isunwanted and tried to avoid bye.g. 4-electrode arrangements
and special cells.
The measurement set-up for atypical electrochemical 3electrode measurement isshown in fig. 4. In addition to thetwo parallel plate electrodes(denoted as Counter andWorking electrode), a third
voltage reference electrode isplaced close to the polarization
layer and measures the voltage
difference of the polarization
double layer capacity to the

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working electrode. In contrast to
material spectroscopy where allelectrodes are made of inert
metal as e.g. gold, stainlesssteel or platinum, this applies forthe electrochemical cell only forthe counter electrode feeding
current into the electrolyte.
The working electrode consistsof the metal to be characterizedin combination with theelectrolyte. The referenceelectrode is usually an open
tipped glass capillary filled witha standard electrolyte coupled toa standard metal in order tocreate a defined electrochemical
potential to the electrolyte.

adjusts its output voltage until
VPrc and VsetDC match resulting
in a constant and sample
impedance independent
reference voltage differential
which can be adjusted by
Vsetdc. In galvanostat mode
VPrc is created proportional tothe measured cell current by acurrent to voltage converter (V<I), resulting in constant sample
cell current. In both modes, thevariable capacitor Ct adjusts thecontrol loop time constant inorder to avoid free highfrequency oscillations caused by
too high open loop gain.
CE

RE+

RE-

WE

Double Layer Working
Counter
Capacity
Electrode
Electrode
Electrolyte
Solution

Ct

VRE+
Vprc

-∞

Reference
Electrode
Udc
Vref

Uac

Is

Fig. 4. Principle set-up of a threeelectrode electrochemical cellfor impedance measurement.
The total potential drop acrossthe cell is summed up by allcontributions of the chemical
process like mass transport,
chemical and adsorption steps,
electron transfer, etc [2]. By
measuring the impedance**
spectrum VRef (ω)/IS (ω) andfitting it with an equivalent circuit
model, the several processcontributions can be separated
from each other. The typicalevaluation includes
determination of Warburg
impedance related to masstransport, electron transfer
resistance, electrolyte
resistance and double layer
capacity [2].
As on the working electrodes
an electrochemical reaction
takes place, it is necessary tokeep the DC potential VRef at adefined value or alternatively
apply a constant DC current tothe cell. This can be done by aPotentiostat / Galvanostat DC
circuit as shown in fig. 5. The
voltage amplifier connected to
CE electrode compares inpotentiostat mode thedifferential voltage VPrc = VRE+ VRE-- of both referenceelectrodes with the intended
voltage VsetDC. The amplifier

3

Pot.

VREV<-I

Gal.
-Vsetdc+Vac

Fig. 5. Principle of Potentiostat /Galvanostat circuit withdifferential reference voltage
inputs.
For impedance measurement
an additional small AC voltage
VAC is superimposed to VsetDC
and the AC response ismeasured as according to fig. 4.
The two new POT/GAL
interfaces are optimized for
impedance measurements ofelectrolytes with superimposed
controlled voltage or current as
described above. The
POT/GAL 15V-10A provides up
to ±10 A output current and withthis is especially suited for fuelcell characterization.
POT/GAL 30V-2A is a highquality general purpose
instrument. In addition to DC
control, the DC voltages andcurrent at the four electrodes
are continuously measured anddisplayed.
In contrast to existing
potentiostats /galvanostats for
impedance measurement, thePOT/GAL interfaces are not
restricted to electrolyte
characterization but can be used
for nearly all other kind of
materials, too. E.g. bothinterfaces support a reference
capacitor technique for accurate
and broadband measurement ofhigh impedance low loss
isolators.
For samples not requiringcontrolled DC signals, besidethe potentiostat and galvanostat

Test Interfaces Alpha-A

a third direct voltage mode isincluded which bypasses thecontrol amplifier and allows
operation like a standard
dielectric, conductivity and
impedance analyzer withextended current and voltage
range. As a further improvement
and new feature, the bandwidth
for impedance measurement is
not limited by the selected time
constant of the DC control
amplifier (fig. 5). Instead for any
DC bandwidth like e.g. 1 Hz, thefull AC impedance frequency
range up to 1 MHz is available inboth DC controlled modes. Last
but not least, both POT/GAL
interfaces support fast
continuously adjustable
simultaneous voltage andcurrent limits of the power
amplifier output implemented
independent from the DC control
loop, working even in the caseof oscillation or referenceelectrode cable damage in orderto protect sensitive samples.

Characterization of fasttime dependent processes
One major area of dielectric,
conductivity and impedance
spectroscopy is monitoring oftime variant samples, which isusually due to chemical
reactions or crystallization.
Examples are time dependentmeasurements of e.g. epoxy
curing or material ageing. Until
now, most dielectric analysis
systems had data rates in therange of several seconds. This
limit is significantly reduced by
the new Alpha-A mainframe
which is available with a fast
data rate option and canmeasure (and continuously send
via the GPIB bus) up to 157
impedance data points per
second. This allows processmonitoring on time scales below
10 ms. The fast data rates aresupported for all test interfaces,
but not available for all operation
modes like e.g. reference
measurement mode or at
frequencies < 200 Hz.
For the mainframe standard
version (without the fast option)
the maximum data rate is up to
10 data points per second.

Two electrode standard
configurations
For most dielectric,
conductivity and impedance
measurements polarization orcontact effects as discussed
above are less prominent. In thiscase, the standard configuration

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with the sample material
prepared between two parallel
plate electrodes is mostadvantageous. This
arrangement is most simple andallows easy and flexible sample
preparation. Nevertheless, thedesign requirements to an
appropriate sample cell
operating over a wide frequency,
impedance and temperature
range without sacrificing theAlpha analyzer's high accuracy
are extraordinary demanding.
Such a sample cell in realized
as a part of the ZGS interface
which is the successor of the
popular Alpha-S analyzer active
sample cell [1]. In addition to thesample cell, ZGS includes animpedance converter electronics
and reference capacitors in thecell head. This arrangement
avoids cables in the impedance
path between the sample
electrodes and analyzer input
terminals. Cables may limit the
usable high frequency range
due to inductance andcontribute low frequency noisefor high impedance samples.
In contrast to other interfaces
and solutions from othermanufactures, ZGS is specified
at the sample electrodes
position and therefore users do
not have to care about artefacts
by cell contributions to themeasured results. The ZGS
interface is therefore the optimaland turnkey solution for
dielectric, conductivity and
impedance material
measurements not requiring
three or four electrodeconfigurations.
The ZG2 interface contains thesame impedance converter andreference capacitors as ZGS,
but no integrated sample cell.
ZG2 can be connected by BNC
terminals to any passive sample
cell like e.g. Novocontrol BDS
1200 or any impedance under
test. Compared to ZGS, thecombination ZG2 + BDS 1200 is
somewhat more flexible but not
as accurate due to the additional
cables between BDS 1200 and
ZG2.

New test interface concept
improves flexibility andperformance
For the test interfaces a new
system concept is realized
combining the advantages of astand alone dielectric,
conductivity and impedance
analyzer with the specialized
functionality of traditional

4

combined analyzer - interface
combinations.
Compared to traditional set-ups the
new Alpha-A series has a different
system connection topology startingwith one out of a series of interfaces
which is connected to the Alpha-A
mainframe. The mainframe operates
the entire system including low
level interface control and highlevel result evaluation. For thispurpose the mainframe is operated
by a PC via a set of high level GPIB
commands in a flexible and simple
fashion.
PC withmanufacturer
or usersoftware

Interface with typeand calibration data

Internal
digital bus

Alpha-A mainframe
GPIB Bus: High level commands
Start measurement, Read impedanceAlpha-A integrated system with
automatic interface adaptationand calibration
PC withmanufacturer
software only
Dielectric / impedanceinterface
Calibration
Data
FRA or lockin amp.
GPIB Bus: Low level commands
Set ranges, ref. caps,Read voltages
Traditional PC controlled analyzer /interface device combination

Fig. 6. System topology for theAlpha-A series and a traditional
PC - FRA - interface system
E. g. a typical commandsequence could be: adjust AC
voltage and frequency, startmeasurement, read result ascomplex impedance or capacity.
Depending on the interface type,the mainframe automatically
adapts its functionality andcommand set. E.g. the voltage
adjust command will accept
voltages up to ±500 V for a
HVB 1000 high voltage interface
but only ±40V for a ZG2interface, or special commands
for DC polarization control will
be available for the POT/GAL
interfaces.
The adaptive interface concept
allows• fast low level data exchange
and control between the Alpha
mainframe and the interface;Test Interfaces Alpha-A• simple and straightforward
integration of the Alpha-A
system into own written control
software or system control
packages of othermanufacturers.
Though the Alpha-A and allinterfaces except G22 arecompletely integrated in the
Novocontrol WinDETA software,
operation by other software may
be required if the analyzer shallbe operated in combination withother equipment (e.g. a
synchrotron ring).
This option is an advantage
over traditional device
combinations for dielectric, or
electrochemical impedance
measurements, where afrequency response analyzer
and an interface need to becontrolled by a dedicated PC
software and the system can notoperate without this software asshown in fig. 6.

Frequency response, gain
phase measurements
In impedance mode used for
dielectric, conductivity and
impedance spectroscopy theAlpha analyzer measures the
response voltage and current ofa material sample to an appliedsine wave signal.
In gain phase mode, a second
voltage is measured instead of
the current. This allows tomeasure two response voltages
to an applied sine wave driver
signal at two arbitrary points of a

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system under test. The twovoltages are measured with theAlpha frequency response
analyzer channels CH1 andCH2. The applied sine wave iscreated by the Alpha sine wave
generator.
Gain phase measurements aresupported by the Alpha-A
mainframe standalone or in
combination with any test
interface except the two HVB
which are for impedance mode
only. The G22 interface is forgain phase measurements only
and optimized for those
applications.
A typical application would beto e. g. measure the transfer
function of an amplifier ortransformer. In this case, theAlpha generator output andinput CH1 have to be connectedto the amplifier input and CH2 tothe amplifier output. The
amplifier complex transfer**
function defined by Vout /Vin isdetermined by measuring thevoltages at CH2 and CH1.
It should be noted, that in gain
phase mode the Alpha can be
operated like a digital lock-in
amplifier with two input
channels. The main function of alock-in amplifier is to apply asignal with a defined frequency
to a system under test and tomeasure a response signal. Asa further lock-in amplifierfeature, only the frequency
component of the applied
generator signal is detected in5

the response signal. As usuallymost of the response signals
noise and DC errors are at otherfrequencies, those will therefore
be suppressed. The Alpha uses
the same principle, but has inaddition a second voltage
channel, wider bandwidth andbetter accuracy as lock-in
amplifiers.
Gain phase measurements are
therefore not specially related todielectric, conductivity and
impedance spectroscopy but
may be of general interest if• a very small or noisy signal
has to be measured with highprecision;• the response of any kind ofsystem to an applied signal in
the frequency domain has to bemeasured.
References[1] G. Schaumburg,
Novocontrol, Dielectrics
Newsletter, Issue May 1999
[2] Electrochemistry, Carl H.
Hamman et. al, Wiley-VCH,
1998, ISBN 3-527-29096-6
Gerhard Schaumburg
Novocontrol Technologies
GmbH & Co. KG

Test Interfaces Alpha-A

Novocontrol Technologie

Test Interfaces Overview and Key Specifacitons
Test Interface
ZGS

ZG2

ZG4

HVB300

HVB1000

Especially Recommended
Dielectric or conductive samples which
can be prepared between parallel plateelectrodes like e.g. polymers,
semiconductors, glasses, and liquids or
powders with not to high ion conductivity(electrode polarization).
Optimized for broadband measurementsof low loss dielectrics over a hugetemperature range.
Most accurate and straightforward
solution for parallel plate electrodeconfigurations.
General purpose interface for 2-wiremeasurements of• dielectric or conductive material
samples in combinations with the
Novocontrol BDS 1200 parallel platesample cell;• passive customer own made sample
cells;• electronic components.
Dielectric or conductive samples with• significant electrode contact
impedance or electrode sample
interface polarization like e.g.
electrolytes, liquids with ion conductivity(e.g. water based);• low impedance samples below 1 likee.g. strong electrolytes, heavily doped
semiconductors, metals,
superconductors;• electronic components or networks.
Dielectrics, semiconductors or electronic
components at high AC and/or DC
voltages:• non linear dielectric/impedance
spectroscopy• characterization of materials orcomponents under stress;• extreme high impedance samples
14
exceeding 10 ΩOptimized for broadband high voltage
measurements of low loss dielectrics.
Operation with Novocontrol High
Voltage Sample Cell recommended.
• Electrochemical cell reactions, metalelectrolyte interfaces, ion conductors ,conductive liquids for both low and high13
POT/GAL 30V-2A impedance samples up to 10 Ω;• general purpose low impedance
samples or electronic components athigh currents.
Optimized for low impedance samples

POT/GAL15V-10A with strong electrode sample interface

polarization effects.

Special Features
Included active parallel platesample cell, specification
includes cell effects.

Key Specification
ZGS specs. apply at
sample cell electrodepositionF
3 µHz - 20 MHz
14ZR
10 mΩ - 10 Ω
-5.
tan(δ)
3 10 ; Pa 2 m°
±4,2 VP
VAC
VDC±40 VP,
70 mA max
ZO
50 Ω

Fixed 2-wire measurement
configuration.
Economical version of ZG4
without differential voltage
inputs for 3- or 4-wiremeasurements.

F
ZR
tan(δ)VAC
VDC
ZO

Selectable 2-, 3- or 4-wiremeasurement configuration
with additional high input
impedance and driven
shielded Vhigh and Vlow
differential voltage inputs.

High AC and/or DC output
voltage. Protected against
sample breakdowns andpermanent shorts.

3 µHz - 20 MHz
14
10 mΩ - 10 Ω
-5
3.10 ; Pa 2 m°
±4.2 VP±40 VP,
70 mA max
50 Ω

ZO
ZVI

3 µHz - 20 MHz
14
1 mΩ - 10 Ω
-5.
3 10 ; Pa 2 m°
±4.2 VP±40 VP,
70 mA max
50 Ω
12
10 Ω║10 pF

ZR
tan(δ)

15
1 Ω - 10 Ω
-5
3.10 ; Pa 2 m°F
ZRtan(δ)VAC
VDC

HVB300F
3 µHz - 1 MHz
VAC+VDC ±150 VP
70 mA max
200 Ω
ZO
HVB1000

F
3 µHz - 10 kHz
VAC+VDC ±500 VP,
3.3 mA max
ZO
150 kΩ
High power superimposed
fixed or controlled(Potentiostat) dc voltage orconstant DC current(Galvanostat).
2-, 3-, or 4-wire input
configuration with driven
shields.
Simultaneous measurementof DC voltage and current at
the four sample terminals.
Continuously adjustable
output voltage and current
limit.

Ftan(δ)
ZR

3 µHz - 1 MHz-4
10 ; Pa 6 m°
13
1 mΩ - 10 Ω

POT/GAL 30V-2A

VAC+VDC ±30 VP, ±2 AP
ZO
1 Ω - 1 kΩ
12ZVI
10 Ω║10 pF
POT/GAL 15V-10A

VAC+VDC ±15 VP, ±10 AP
ZO
0,1 Ω - 1 kΩ
12ZVI
10 Ω║10 pF

Test Interfaces Alpha-A

Novocontrol Technologies

Test Interface

Especially Recommended• Electrochemical cell reactions, metalelectrolyte interfaces, ion conductors ,conductive liquids for both low and high13
POT/GAL 30V-2A impedance samples up to 10 Ω;• general purpose low impedance
samples or electronic components athigh currents.
Optimized for low impedance samples

POT/GAL15V-10A with strong electrode sample interface

polarization effects.

G22High accuracy frequency response andgain phase measurements. Measures
the amplitudes and phase shift V1highV1low and V2high-V2low of two voltage
channels.
Similar functionality to a double input
channel lockin amplifier with improved
accuracy.

Special Features
High power superimposed
fixed or controlled(Potentiostat) dc voltage orconstant DC current(Galvanostat).
2-, 3-, or 4-wire input
configuration with driven
shields.
Simultaneous measurementof DC voltage and current at
the four sample terminals.
Continuously adjustable
output voltage and current
limit.
Two high sensitive voltage
channels with highimpedance driven shielded
differential inputs.
Not for impedance
measurements.

Key Specification
F
3 µHz - 1 MHz-4tan(δ)
10 ; Pa 6 m°
13ZR
1 mΩ - 10 Ω
POT/GAL 30V-2A

VAC+VDC ±30 VP, ±2 AP
ZO
1 Ω - 1 kΩ
12ZVI
10 Ω║10 pF
POT/GAL 15V-10A

VAC+VDC ±15 VP, ±10 AP
ZO
0,1 Ω - 1 kΩ
12ZVI
10 Ω║10 pF
F
Pa
VAC
VDC
ZO
ZVI

3 µHz - 20 MHz
10 m°±4.2 VP±40 VP,
70 mA max
50 Ω
12
10 Ω║10 pF

Tab. 1.
Alpha-A analyzer test interfaces overview. All test interfaces except G22 support automatic reference capacitor
measurements and are suited for both dielectric and conductive samples but optimized for special applications. The
Alpha mainframe standalone and all interfaces except HVB support two channel high accuracy frequency response or
gain phase measurements.
Ranges:
F: Frequency, ZR: Impedance, VAC: AC output voltage, VDC: DC output voltage,VAC+VDC: Any combination of |AC
output voltage| + |DC output voltage|
Absolute Accuracies: tan(δ): loss factor, Pa: Phase angle
Other: ZVI: Differential voltage terminals input impedance, ZO: Power amplifier output impedance

NOVOCONTROL Technolgies GmbH & Co. KG
Obererbacher Strasse 9
D-56414 Hundsangen
Germany
Phone: ++(0)6435 - 96230
Fax: ++(0)6435 - 962333
Mail: novo@novocontrol.com
WWW: http://www.novocontrol.com

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