Operator's Manual
Issue 14
/
Mar 2016 / UMC0071
Mercury
iPS
©2016 Oxford Instruments NanoScience. All rights reserved.
Page
68
relationship is non-linear. The iPS uses a 4-wire connection, applying a constant voltage across
the resistor. The iPS then measures the current, which is used to calculate the temperature.
The current through the resistor increases with temperature and its relationship to the
temperature is more linear than the resistance of the resistor. Using a constant voltage ensures
that power dissipation in the resistor decreases as the temperature decreases. Resolution to
0.1mK is possible at low temperatures.
6.5.4 Semiconductor diodes
These devices produce a voltage that decreases as the temperature increases. The iPS passes
a constant current through the diode and measures the voltage produced. Resolution to 1mK is
possible at low temperatures.
6.5.5 Excitation current
Resistance and diode sensors require an excitation current. A 4-wire connection is used for
these sensors.
When the circuit is configured to measure positive temperature coefficient (PTC) sensors, such
as PT100 platinum resistance thermometers, the excitation current is generated by a high-
stability current source.
When the circuit is configured to measure negative temperature coefficient (NTC) sensors, such
as CERNOX ceramic oxi-nitride or RuO
2
ruthenium oxide resistance thermometers, the
excitation is generated by a true voltage source.
The magnitude of the excitation current can be programmed to suit the application. Three types
of excitation are available:
Unipolar
The excitation current is always positive.
Bipolar
The excitation changes polarity between each successive measurement. The displayed
sensor value is an average of the results from the last two measurements. Thus, every
measurement is an average of values measured with positive and negative excitation
currents.