BDS Turnkey Dielectric / Impedance Spectrometers for ambient conditions

BDS 50 and BDS 40

These are our high end systems for the frequency range from 3 μHz - 40 (BDS 50) or 3 µHz to 20 MHz (BDS 40), covering 13.1 and 12.5 decades on the frequency scale, respectively. These systems are based on the Alpha-A modular measurement system for dielectric, conductivity, electrochemical and impedance spectroscopy with several test interfaces.

The sample impedance is directly determined by the phase-sensitive measurement of the sample voltage and current at fixed frequency. 

In combination with the ZGS active sample cell interface, the standard sample arrangement is a parallel plate capacitor with diameters from 40 mm to 10 mm and a spacing between the plates from 20 mm to 10 μm. 

For liquid samples, a vacuum sealed sample cell is offered, which prevents evaporation of sample material.

Short Specification (applies at the sample)
Frequency range: 3·10^-5 .. 4^.10⁷ Hz
Capacity range: 10^-15 .. 1 F
Impedance range: 0.01 - 10¹⁴ Ω
Loss factor tan(δ) accuracy < 3·10^-5, resolution 10^-5

System includes Alpha-ATB or Alpha-ANB mainframe with ZGS active sample cell interface, shielding unit, DETACHEM software and data acquisition unit.

BDS 20, BDS 10

These are economical versions of BDS 40.

Instead of an Alpha-ANB, the systems are based on an Alpha-NB or Alpha-LB single-unit analyzer.

In addition, BDS 10 has an upper frequency limit of 300 kHz.

All other specifications correspond to BDS 40, but apply at the Alpha BNC plugs instead at the sample.

In combination with the sample cell interface BDS1200, the standard sample arrangement is a parallel plate capacitor with diameters from 40 mm to 10 mm and a spacing between the plates from 20 mm to 10 μm.

Note:There is no sample cell included. The BDS 1200 cell with shielding unit is recommended and has to be ordered separately.

System includes Alpha-NB analyzer (Alpha-LB for BDS 10), DETACHEM software and data acquisition unit.

BDS 70

This equipment covers the high frequency range from 1 MHz to 3 GHz (8 GHz by option).  The sample impedance is determined by coaxial line reflectometry.

The RF sample cell containing the parallel plate sample capacitor (diameter 12 mm - 3 mm, spacing 20 mm - 3 mm) is mounted at the RF impedance analyzer APC-7 impedance port. The sample impedance determines the reflection factor of the sample capacitor, which is measured by the RF analyzer.

Thin film samples down to 1 μm can be measured in a special thin film cell. 

If the dielectric sample cell is replaced by a magnetic sample cell, the complex permeability of materials can be measured, too. 

Short Specification (applies at the sample)
Frequency range: 10⁶ .. 3⋅10⁹ Hz
Impedance range: 0.1 - 10⁵ Ω
Loss factor tan(δ) accuracy < 3⋅10^-3

System includes a Keysight E4991B RF Impedance analyzer, BDS 2200 RF sample cell, DETACHEM software and data acquisition unit.

Note: BDS 70 can be used with other RF impedance or network analyzers at frequencies up to 8 GHz, too. Please contact us for details.

BDS 80

The BDS 80 is a combination of BDS 40 and BDS 70 in one system. It is operated by a common DETACHEM software and data acquisition unit. The system includes Alpha-ANB analyzer with ZGS active sample cell, shielding unit, Keysight E4991B-300 RF Impedance analyzer, BDS 2200 RF sample cell, DETACHEM software and data acquisition unit.

Optional Alpha-A Test Interfaces

for High Voltage, High Current, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and 4 Electrode Measurements
These are options for systems based on an Alpha-A modular analyzer included in the BDS 40 and 80 systems.