Q1: What is a high-speed high-voltage amplifier?
A high-voltage amplifier converts or amplifies low-voltage signals into high-voltage outputs, typically exceeding 1000V, sourcing or sinking from about 10µA to 1A and amplifying the input by 100 to 1000 times. A high-speed high-voltage amplifier additionally provides a fast response, with a bandwidth of at least 10kHz and a slew rate exceeding 2400V/µs.
Q2: Which ATI high voltage amplifier model should I choose?
Choose by required output voltage and channel count. For dual-channel ±100V / ±250V / ±500V / ±1kV / ±2kV applications, select AHVA100V2X50MA, AHVA250V2X40MA, AHVA500V2X30MA, AHVA1KV2X20MA, or AHVA2KV2X20MA respectively. For high-speed dynamic applications requiring 2400V/µs slew rate, choose AHVAHS2KV2X20MA. For a complete benchtop instrument with AC-line input and built-in HV converter, choose AHVA2000V20MA. For single-channel ±2.5kV use AHVAN2R5KV20MA.
Q3: Do ATI high voltage amplifiers need an external high voltage power supply?
OEM-style AHVA modules accept a low-voltage power input (typically 24V) and internally generate the required high voltage rail, so a separate external HV supply is not needed. The AHVA2000V20MA benchtop model has a built-in high-voltage AC-DC converter and runs directly from 110VAC or 220VAC line voltage.
Q4: What capacitive load can these amplifiers drive?
Maximum drivable capacitance follows I = C × dV/dt and depends on output-current rating, voltage swing, and frequency. As an example, an amplifier rated 100mA driving a 2kV peak-to-peak sinusoid at 1kHz can drive on the order of 8 nF; at lower frequencies the drivable capacitance increases proportionally. Each datasheet provides specific capacitive-load curves.
Q5: Can these high voltage amplifiers be used to drive piezoelectric actuators?
Yes. All ATI high voltage amplifiers are designed for piezo actuation and other high-voltage capacitive-load applications, including piezo stacks, piezo benders, MEMS devices, electro-optic modulators, and Pockels cells.
Q6: Are these amplifiers bipolar or unipolar?
The AHVA-series OEM modules with "2X" in the part number (AHVA100V2X50MA, AHVA250V2X40MA, AHVA500V2X30MA, AHVA1KV2X20MA, AHVA2KV2X20MA, AHVAHS2KV2X20MA) provide bipolar dual-channel outputs (±V). AHVAN2R5KV20MA and the AHVA2000V20MA benchtop unit are unipolar (0V to +V).
Q7: What protection features are built into ATI high voltage amplifiers?
Advanced protection features include under-voltage and over-voltage lockout on the supply input, ESD protection on input signals, over-temperature shutdown, turn-on soft start, and output current limit.