How to choose a Preamp for your Vigo MCT IR Detector

1. Determine the detector you intend to purchase.  If you have a lot of optical signal available you may be able to operate WITHOUT a preamp.  The trick is to balance getting enough signal from the detector to drive your following electronics (oscilloscope or whatever) while avoiding SATURATION of the detector.  Click here for a discussion of this.  If your signal is low then surely you will need a preamp.
2. Determine the highest frequency you expect to see or the system chopping frequency.
3. Multiply the highest frequency or the chopping frequency by 10 if you want to resolve the waveform cleanly.
4. Click Here for our table of available preamps. Normally select a DC-coupled preamp for use with photovoltaic devices or an AC-coupled preamp for use with photoconductive devices, or consult us.
5. Consult us if you need customized bandwidth or special gain for your preamp. We routinely customize.

or just ask us at boselec@boselec.com

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• Back to Infrared Detectors
• How to choose an IR Detector
• Warning on TE cooling