A Current Source for Picoammeter Calibration

A current source, which is to be employed in the calibration of low-current meters (picoammeters and electrometers), is presented here. The output current range is 100 fA to 100 pA and is directly traceable to calibrated standards of dc voltage, capacitance, and time period. The source is based on a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE transactions on instrumentation and measurement 2007-08, Vol.56 (4), p.1198-1201
Main Authors: Callegaro, L., D'Elia, V., Trinchera, B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Calibration
Capacitance
Capacitors
current measurement
Current sources
Direct current
Electric potential
Fault location
Frequency
Instrumentation
Instruments
Measuring instruments
Monitoring
Signal generators
Voltage
Voltmeters
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Description
Summary:A current source, which is to be employed in the calibration of low-current meters (picoammeters and electrometers), is presented here. The output current range is 100 fA to 100 pA and is directly traceable to calibrated standards of dc voltage, capacitance, and time period. The source is based on a low- frequency (ap1 mHz) trapezoidal signal generator, which charges and discharges a gas-dielectric capacitor; the voltage is monitored with a voltmeter that is triggered by a precision time base. The source has been employed during March 2006 for the Italian participation to the supplementary comparison EUROMET.EM-S24 and will be part of an extension of the Italian national standard of dc current. However, being composed of low-cost electronics and common commercial instrumentation, the source can also find useful application in secondary calibration laboratories.
ISSN:0018-9456
1557-9662
DOI:10.1109/TIM.2007.900128