Current–voltage characteristic

The current-voltage characteristic ( IV characteristic also, the current-voltage curve or UI diagram ), and in the case of two -pole electrical components such as resistor, solar cell batteries and diodes describes the relationship between the electric current and voltage.

In ion channels, voltage-current curve describes the relationship between the membrane potential ( or holding potential ) and current across the membrane ( in whole-cell recordings ) or the ion-channel (single -channel measurements ), see patch clamp.

Basics

According to the Thévenin 's theorem, any system from voltage sources (complex) resistors are modeled as two-terminal electrical component. Therefore, it is also possible to record current-voltage characteristics more complex assemblies.

In the simplest case, the characteristic curve is linear, and in particular when the internal resistance of the element is an ohmic resistor. This is an ideal voltage source with a resistance of the case, for example, in the series circuit.

Semiconductors such as the ideal diode, however, a curved, non-linear characteristic is desired. Even non-ideal voltage sources do not behave linearly varying degrees.

If the straight line and the curve cut only once, it is called at idle voltage at the short circuit current.

Measurement methods

Basically the same characteristics can be determined in two ways:

Apply this measurement method, among others, in the analog signature analysis, test methods of the electronics manufacturing and repair.

• Electromagnetic Theory