Keithley Series 2600 System SourceMeters
8 models with full specifications from Keithley.
The Keithley Series 2600 (comprising the 2600B family and the high-power 2657A) consists of high-performance System SourceMeter Source Measure Units (SMUs) designed for benchtop characterization and high-throughput production testing. These instruments combine a precision power supply, a true current source, a 6.5-digit digital multimeter, an electronic load, and a pulse generator into a single half-rack chassis. Depending on the model, they feature dual-line vacuum fluorescent displays, Keithley's embedded Test Script Processor (TSP) technology, and multi-node expansion capabilities. This comparison guide outlines the differences in channels, voltage levels, and measurement sensitivities to help engineers choose the optimal SMU for their application.
- Channel Options
- 1 or 2 independent SMU channels
- Maximum Voltage
- Up to 3000 V (Keithley 2657A)
- Low-Current Resolution
- Down to 0.1 fA (Keithley 2636B)
- Reading Rate
- Up to 20,000 readings/s to memory
Models in this series
| Model | Type | Display | Operating Temperature | Power Supply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2602B | *misc | Dual-line vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) | 0°C to 50°C | 100 V to 250 V AC, 50 Hz to 60 Hz (auto-sensing), 250 VA maximum |
| 2636B | Arbitrary | Dot matrix Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) | 0 to 50 | 100 V to 240 V AC, 50 Hz / 60 Hz, 250 VA max |
| 2601B | *misc | Dual-line Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) | 0 °C to 50 °C | 100 V to 240 V AC, 50 Hz to 60 Hz, 240 VA maximum |
| 2614B | *misc | Dual-line vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) | 0 °C to 50 °C | 100 V to 240 V AC, 50 Hz to 60 Hz, 240 VA max. |
| 2612B | *misc | Dual-line vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) | 0 °C to 50 °C | 100 V to 240 V AC (±10%), 50 Hz to 60 Hz, 240 VA maximum |
| 2611B | *misc | Dual-line Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) | 0 °C to 50 °C | 100 V to 240 V AC, 50 Hz to 60 Hz, 240 VA max |
| 2657A | *misc | Dual-line Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) | 0 °C to 50 °C | 100 V to 240 V AC, 50 Hz to 60 Hz, 350 VA maximum |
| 2604B | *misc | Dual-line vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) | 0 °C to 50 °C | 100 V to 240 V AC, 50 Hz/60 Hz, 240 VA max |
Channel Configurations and Power Classes
The Series 2600 models are categorized primarily by the number of channels and their operating envelopes:
- Single-Channel Models: The Keithley 2601B and Keithley 2611B offer compact, single-channel solutions. The 2601B operates up to 40 V DC, while the 2611B extends the voltage range up to 200 V.
- Dual-Channel Models: The Keithley 2602B, Keithley 2604B, Keithley 2612B, Keithley 2614B, and Keithley 2636B provide two independent channels. These units allow simultaneous testing of multi-terminal devices or parallel testing of components in production environments.
Voltage limits vary from 40 V on the Keithley 2601B, Keithley 2602B, and Keithley 2604B, up to 200 V on the Keithley 2611B, Keithley 2612B, Keithley 2614B, and Keithley 2636B.
Precision Measurement and High-Voltage Extremes
For specialty characterization, the series provides options tailored for extremely low currents or high voltages:
- Sub-Picoamp Sensitivity: The Keithley 2636B features high-precision measurement capabilities, offering a 100 pA range with a 0.1 fA resolution. This makes it suitable for semiconductor and nanotechnology testing where low current leakage must be measured.
- High-Voltage Power: The Keithley 2657A is a specialized high-voltage SMU capable of sourcing up to 3000 V and delivering up to 180 W of power. It integrates dual 18-bit 1 MHz digitizing A/D converters and measures current with 1 fA resolution on its lowest 1 nA range.
Integration and Automation Capabilities
Automation capabilities differ across the models in this family. The Keithley 2601B, Keithley 2602B, Keithley 2611B, Keithley 2612B, and Keithley 2636B include Keithley's TSP-Link technology, which allows the integration of up to 32 nodes for high-speed, multi-channel testing.
Conversely, the Keithley 2604B and Keithley 2614B are dual-channel SMUs designed primarily for standard benchtop and laboratory environments. They do not include the TSP-Link expansion interface, offering a more direct solution for applications that do not require high-node automated systems.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Keithley Series 2600 models support 200 V sourcing?
- The models that support a maximum voltage range of 200 V are the Keithley 2611B (single-channel), Keithley 2612B (dual-channel), Keithley 2614B (dual-channel), and Keithley 2636B (dual-channel).
- What is the key difference between the Keithley 2612B and the Keithley 2614B?
- While both are dual-channel 200 V SMUs, the Keithley 2612B includes TSP-Link and RS-232 interfaces, whereas the Keithley 2614B is optimized for bench applications and does not include TSP-Link or RS-232 connectivity.
- Which SMU in this series has the highest voltage rating?
- The Keithley 2657A is the high-voltage specialist of the series, supporting a maximum output voltage of 3000 V and output power up to 180 W.