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In summary, the Keithley 6221 is a precision AC and DC current source with a built-in arbitrary waveform generator, programmable pulse capability down to 5 µs, and a 100 fA to 105 mA DC range. It is the only commercially available AC current source paired with current-waveform synthesis, designed for semiconductor characterization, materials research, and low-power stimulus tasks.
The 6221 is used to source AC, DC, pulsed, or arbitrary current waveforms into a device under test. It replaces ad-hoc combinations of voltage sources with series resistors, lock-in amplifiers, and AC bridges in low-noise resistance and differential-conductance measurements when paired with the Keithley 2182A Nanovoltmeter.
Typical applications include pulsed I-V testing of delicate components, AC characterization of materials and devices, drift-cancelling delta-mode resistance measurement, and current-stimulus generation for lock-in detection.
AC current sourcing is required when measurement noise must be moved away from DC, when 1/f noise dominates, or when an experiment requires synchronous detection. The 6221's 10 MSPS update rate produces low-distortion sine waves up to 100 kHz, removing the need for a transconductance amplifier and series resistor.
Pulse width: 50 µs to 12 ms with the 2182A; repetition interval 83.3 ms to 5 s. Waveform amplitude: 2 pA to 210 mA peak-peak. Amplitude accuracy below 10 kHz: ±(1% rdg + 0.2% range). Frequency accuracy: ±100 ppm over one year. The 6221 inherits the 6220's nine DC ranges and 100 fA to 105 mA DC capability.
Keithley pioneered the delta-mode measurement technique, and the 6221's pulse measurement architecture is the industry reference for short-pulse, low-power device stimulation. Pairing with the 2182A yields industry-leading noise performance for low-impedance Hall measurements and bulk-material differential conductance studies.
Standard accessory packages ship where applicable. Unnecessary accessories may not be included on this Pre-Owned unit; contact a Test Architect to confirm anything specific your application requires.
The 6221 adds an AC sine/square/triangle/ramp generator, a four-user-slot arbitrary waveform generator, and a pulse-mode controller on top of the 6220's DC current-source architecture. A 16-bit amplitude path and 10 megasample/second output rate produce smooth waveforms across the full 1 mHz to 100 kHz frequency range. The 6221 also gains a built-in Ethernet interface, allowing remote control without a GPIB controller card.
| Range | 1-Year Accuracy | Programming Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| 2 nA | ±(0.4% + 2 pA) | 100 fA |
| 20 nA | ±(0.3% + 10 pA) | 1 pA |
| 200 nA | ±(0.3% + 100 pA) | 10 pA |
| 2 µA | ±(0.1% + 1 nA) | 100 pA |
| 20 µA | ±(0.05% + 10 nA) | 1 nA |
| 200 µA | ±(0.05% + 100 nA) | 10 nA |
| 2 mA | ±(0.05% + 1 µA) | 100 nA |
| 20 mA | ±(0.05% + 10 µA) | 1 µA |
| 100 mA | ±(0.1% + 50 µA) | 10 µA |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Waveforms | Sine, square, ramp, and 4 user-defined arbitrary waveforms |
| Frequency range | 1 mHz to 100 kHz |
| Frequency accuracy | ±100 ppm (1 year) |
| Sample rate | 10 MSPS |
| Amplitude | 2 pA to 210 mA peak-peak into loads up to 1012 Ω |
| Amplitude resolution | 16 bits including sign |
| Amplitude accuracy (<10 kHz) | Magnitude ±(1% rdg + 0.2% range); Offset ±(0.2% rdg + 0.2% range) |
| Sine amplitude flatness | <1 dB up to 100 kHz |
| Arbitrary waveform length | 2 to 64K points |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Pulse width range | 50 µs to 12 ms (with 2182A) |
| Pulse amplitude | 1 pA to 100 mA |
| Repetition interval | 83.3 ms to 5 s |
| Pulse rise time | Microsecond rise on all ranges; programmable from 5 µs |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Output impedance | >1014 Ω on 2 nA / 20 nA ranges |
| Voltage compliance | 0.1 V to 105 V in 0.01 V steps, bipolar |
| Maximum output power | 11 W, four-quadrant source or sink |
| Program memory | 65,000 points; max trigger rate 1,000/s |
| Interfaces | Ethernet, RS-232, GPIB (IEEE-488.1/.2 SCPI), Trigger Link, digital I/O |
| Common mode voltage | 250 V rms DC |
| Environment | 0°C to 50°C operating; 1-hour warm-up to rated accuracy |
The 6221 reaches its full potential when paired with the 2182A Nanovoltmeter. Pulse widths as short as 50 µs with synchronized measurement become available only with the 2182A. The 2182A is sold separately or as part of the 6221/2182A bundle.
This webpage was written by a human with an A.I. "Intern", which may contain errors. Please review the Manufacturer's Data Sheet to verify published specifications. Feedback on this webpage is always welcome — please reach out to your Test Architect at any time for questions or concerns. Thank you, we truly appreciate you being our customer.
Model No
6221
Condition
Used
Manufacturer
Keithley
30+ Years in Business
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30+ Years in Business
Secure Payments
Sell Test Equipments
Knowledgeable Staff
On-site Lab
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