SR124 & SR2124 — Analog Lock-in Amplifiers

For over a half century, the lock-in amplifier has been the instrument of choice for measuring small AC signals in the presence of noise. Early instruments were designed with analog electronics, multi-gang mechanical switches, needle indicators, etc., and measurements were often monitored with chart recorders. Microprocessor based designs emerged in the 1980s, and by the early 1990s even the lock-in’s analog demodulators were replaced by high-resolution ADCs and digital signal processors (DSP).

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Description

SR124 and SR2124 Specs

Signal Channel
Voltage inputs Single-ended or differential
Sensitivity 100 nV to 500 mV
Current input 106 or 108 V/A
Input impedance
   Voltage 10 MΩ+ 35 pF, AC or DC coupled
   Current input 1 kΩ to virtual ground
Gain accuracy ±1 %
Gain stability 100 ppm/°C
(flat mode, normal reserve)
Noise (rms) 2.5 nV/√Hz at 1kHz
0.14 pA/√Hz at 1 kHz (106 V/A)
0.014 pA/√Hz at 100 Hz (108 V/A)
Signal filters (Tuneable from 0.2 Hz to 200 kHz)
   Flat Flat response to within ±1% from 10 Hz to 100 kHz, ±2 % from 100 kHz to 200 kHz, and ±10% below 10 Hz.
   Band pass Bandwidth adjustable from 1% to 100% of center frequency (Q from 100 to 1).
   High pass –12 dB/oct rolloff
   Low pass –12 dB/oct rolloff
   Notch Up to 80 dB attenuation
CMRR 100 dB at 10 kHz, decreasing by 6 dB/oct above 10 kHz
Dynamic reserve (without band pass filter)
   Low noise 20 dB
   Normal 40 dB
   High reserve 60 dB
Reference Channel
Frequency range 0.2 Hz to 200 kHz
Reference input TTL or sine (100 mVpp min.)
Input impedance 1 MΩ
Phase resolution 0.01°
Phase accuracy ±1° (2 to 20 kHz),
±5° (20 kHz to 200 kHz)
Harmonic detection F, 2F and 3F (ext. ref)
Demodulator
Output stability
   Low noise 20 ppm/°C
   Normal 100 ppm/°C
   High reserve 1000 ppm/°C
Time constants 1ms to 300 s (6 or 12 dB/oct rolloff). Minimum time position, typically 500 µs, is determined by stray capacitance. ±10% (to 200 kHz)
Internal Oscillator
Range 0.2 Hz to 200 kHz
Outputs Sine, square. (When using an external reference, output is phase locked to the external reference.)
Frequency accuracy 0.1%
Frequency resolution 3½ digits or 1mHz, whichever is greater
Amplitude 1µV to 20 Vpp into 10 kΩ, 50 Ω output impedance.
Amplitude stability 50 ppm/°C
VCO
VCO input A 0 to 10 V signal corresponds to the beginning and ending frequencies in the range set on the front panel.
Displays
Panel meter Center-zero, mirror-backed (a single meter for SR124, two meters for SR2124)
Offset Output can be offset up to ±1000% of full scale
Reference 3½-digit LED display
Inputs and Outputs
Lock-In/AC Volt Instrument can be operated as a lock-in amplifier or as a frequency selective AC voltmeter.
Output
   Lock-in X (Rcosθ), ±10 V
Y (Rsinθ), ±10 V, SR2124 only
   AC Volt ±10 V
Ref. Out Analog output. Sine or square wave, up to ±20 Vpp
Remote preamp Provides power to the optional SR550, SR552 and SR554 preamps
Fiber optic interface Connection for SX199 Remote Computer Interface Unit. The SX199 has GPIB (IEEE-488.2), RS-232, and Ethernet interfaces for remotely controlling the SR124.
RS-232 interface RS-232 interface is standard. All instrument functions can be controlled and read through the interface.
Quadrant outputs Four phase-shifted outputs at 0°, 90°, 180° and 270° from the reference. Output levels are 1Vrms sinewaves.
General
Power 40 W, 100/120/220/240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Dimensions 17″ × 5.25″ × 19.5″ (WHD)
Weight 23 lbs.
Warranty One year parts and labor on defects in materials and workmanship