Section 8: Frequently asked questions
Model 8010 High Power Device Test Fixture User's Manual
8-2
8010-900-01 Rev. C / March 2017
Can high-current SMUs be used separately inside the fixture?
No. The Model 8010 test fixture contains two connections for Model 2651 High Power SourceMeter
instruments on its back panel. These two connections allow you to output up to a 100 A pulse using
two instruments. Internally, these connectors are wired in parallel and are presented as a single
output. This connection cannot be reconfigured.
The device is oscillating. How do I correct this?
During on-state characterization of MOSFET and IGBT devices, high-current pulses that travel
through the channel of the device may cause the device gate to oscillate. The instability of the gate
voltage will result in unstable measurements through the device channel.
To dampen these oscillations and stabilize the gate, you can insert a resistor between the gate of the
device and the SourceMeter Instrument (SMU) connected to the gate. See
(on page 3-10) for details.
The appropriate gate resistor value is device-dependent. However, typical gate resistor values range
from tens to hundreds of ohms.
If the gate remains unstable after inserting a dampening resistor, enable the high-capacitance mode
(if available) on the SMU connected to the gate.
Can I use local sense for high-current or lower power SMUs?
Yes. All SMUs that are connected to the Model 8010 test fixture may be used in a two-wire (local
sense) configuration.
Four-wire remote sense is recommended when device resistances are low enough (less than 1 k
Ω
)
that resistance in the test leads will cause significant error in the measurement. For more
information, in the Series 2600 or Model 2651 Reference Manual, see DUT test connections for
information on two-wire and four-wire sensing.
