How should I optimise the lock-in amplifier's gain setting?
Discover the best practices for adjusting the gain setting on your lock-in amplifier to ensure optimal performance and signal detection in your experimental setup.
Written by John Miller
Updated at May 8th, 2024
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In general, the gain, G, should be set as high as possible whilst avoiding saturation.
Internally, the lock-in amplifier represents data with a much greater bit-depth than can be used at the output of the instrument (our ADCs offer no more than 16 bits, for example). If we are able to apply gain without saturation, then not only does the signal get larger, but we are also able to access greater resolution.
If you are using polar co-ordinates, then this article explains how to optimize the rectangular to polar conversion range.
