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A battery-based, low-noise voltage source
Anke Wagner1, Sven Sturm, Birgit Schabinger
1Institut für Physik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, D-55099 Mainz, Germany. anke.wagner@mpi-hd.mpg.de
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|July 2, 2010
Summary
A new low-noise voltage source, powered by a car battery, enhances Penning trap stability. This independent design achieves high voltage stability and minimal noise for sensitive scientific instruments.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Electrical Engineering
Background:
- Penning traps require highly stable electrode bias voltages for precise measurements.
- Conventional voltage sources can introduce noise and ground loops, compromising experimental accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and implement a stable, low-noise voltage source for Penning trap electrode bias.
- To achieve superior voltage stability and minimize noise interference, independent of the public electric network.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 12 V car battery as a power source, independent of the mains supply.
- Converted DC to AC, amplified, rectified, filtered, and regulated to produce +/-15 V and +/-5 V outputs.
- Incorporated USB connectivity for real-time monitoring of current, battery voltage, and output voltages.
Main Results:
- Achieved a relative voltage stability of 7 x 10(-7) over a 6.5-hour period.
- Demonstrated a noise level of 30 nV/sqrt(Hz) or lower.
- Each channel supports up to 1.5 A output current.
Conclusions:
- The designed voltage source significantly improves the stability of electrode bias voltages in Penning traps.
- The battery-powered, isolated design effectively mitigates noise and ground loop issues.
- This solution offers a robust and reliable power supply for sensitive scientific applications.
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