Importance

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Abstract

A potentiostat for an amperometric sensor uses a voltage-controlled current source (VCCS), which may be either unidirectional or, preferably, bidirectional. An error amplifier compares the potential of the sensor's reference or counter electrode, relative to ground potential, to a set-point potential. The error voltage serves as an input to the VCCS. The output of the VCCS--a current proportional to the error voltage--is supplied to the sensor's auxiliary electrode. In a steady state, the error voltage is just large enough to supply current that is equal to the current through the sensor's working and auxiliary (or counter) electrodes. The error voltage can either serve directly as an output voltage or it can be amplified without introducing a feed-back loop disturbance. The VCCS permits direct grounding of the sensor's working electrode and operation of the error amplifier at a low or moderate gain, so as to increase the circuit's frequency response and reduce the probability of oscillation. Also, in conjunction with an adjustable low-pass filter, the VCCS permits optimization of the system's frequency response so as to yield improved stability.

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First Claim