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Reference Section
MultiClamp 700A Theory and Operation, Copyright 2000, 2001 Axon Instruments, Inc.
Check the R
s
Compensation checkbox. If the Prediction and Correction controls are
locked together (
), press the Lock button to unlock them (
). Set R
s
Compensation Bandwidth to 15 kHz. (Bandwidth replaces the Lag control on the
Axopatch-1D and 200 series amplifiers.) Increase Prediction to 90% (Figure 4.17).
Note that Prediction is an open loop process,
i.e.
it does not involve feedback, and
instability is only possible if the internal circuitry that develops the prediction signals
is pushed too far. Generally, the circuit is stable up to values of about 98%, but it can
become non-linear, depending on the magnitude of V
cmd
. This may only become
noticeable after increasing the Scaled Output Filter to 50 kHz bandwidth. Reduce
Prediction slightly if severe oscillations are observed.
Carefully increase the Correction value to equal that under Prediction. A rather large
transient should appear in the current at the beginning and end of the command step.
Its peak-to-peak amplitude should be 2-4 nA and it should undergo several distinct
“rings” requiring 1 ms to disappear into the noise (Figure 4.18). To eliminate this
transient, begin by reducing by a few percent the value of R
s
(M
Ω
) displayed under
Whole Cell. As you reduce this setting, the amplitude of the transient first decreases
and then begins to increase. A distinct minimum exists and the desired value of R
s
is at
this minimum.
Next, slightly adjust the Cp Fast settings, trying to further minimize any fast leading-
edge transients. When this has been done, small adjustments in the Whole Cell
capacitance (pF) value should completely eliminate any remaining transients (Figure
4.19). If this is not possible in the real experiment, iterative fine adjustments of Cp
Fast and Whole Cell R
s
may achieve the desired cancellation. If all of this fails and the
oscillations are too severe, you may need to go back to the beginning and set the
Prediction and Correction controls to lower values.
By reducing the Bandwidth control under R
s
Compensation you can usually increase
the percent compensation without instability. However, this is likely to be a false
improvement if it is pushed too far. Reducing the Bandwidth slows down the feedback
circuit used in R
s
compensation, reducing its dynamic response. We suggest that
Bandwidth only be varied in the range 5 to 15 kHz.
In order to see the improvement brought about by R
s
compensation, check and uncheck
the R
s
Compensation checkbox. A dramatic speeding-up of the Membrane Current
should be apparent with the compensation correctly adjusted.