Multifrequency Lockin Amplifier¶

Version III¶

Version I of the MLA™ (or ImLA™) has fewer connections and can handle fewer frequencies.

Front-side connections

Signal OUT sends the drive frequency comb to the shaker piezo of the AFM. The system is configured to work nicely with standard AFMs. Internal jumpers can be moved to change the output voltage range. Contact Intermodulation Products if you want different output range.
Feedback OUT delivers a error signal to the host AFM, where zero volts corresponds to the set-point in the AFM Suite. When the host AFM is set to contact mode, with set-point zero in the host AFM software, The voltage sent by the Feedback Out port constitutes the error signal in the control of the AFM feedback. The feedback gains are set on the host AFM.
Signal IN receives the detector signal from the AFM. The system is configured to work nicely with standard AFMs. Attenuators can be used to reduce the amplitude of the input signal if necessary. Contact Intermodulation Products if you want a different input range.
EOF TRIG IN is the End Of Line signal which is generated by the host AFM and received by the MLA™.
EOL TRIG IN is the End of Frame signal which is generated by the host AFM and received by the MLA™.

Back-side connections

+5V DC powers the MLA™. One should always use the power supply delivered with MLA™. Using any other supply voids the warranty.
Ethernet The MLA™ communicates with the computer via the Ethernet connection. The MLA™ may be directly connected to the Ethernet connection on the computer, or it may be be put behind an Ethernet router, switch or gateway.
10 MHz OUT is a TTL sync signal for locking the MLA™ clock to external equipment.

Two basic firmware versions are available

IMP-2-23 : Two drive frequencies at the Signal Out port. 32 frequencies analyzed at the Signal IN port.
IMP-24-24 : 24 drive frequencies at the Signal Out port and the same 24 frequencies are analyzed at the Signal IN port.