3: Functions and features  Series 2600B System SourceMeter® Instrument 
 
3-26  2600BS-901-01 Rev. B / May 2013 
 
In this example: 
A = 0, V
start
 = 1, V
end 
= 10, N = 5 
Using the formula above, k = 1 
Step size (b) for the sweep in the above figure is calculated as follows: 
Figure 59: Logarithmic staircase sweeps (2) 
Therefore, b = 10
(log step size)
 = 1.7783 
 
The five log steps for this sweep are listed in the Logarithmic sweep points table below. 
Logarithmic sweep points 
Source point (N)  Source level (V)  Step number (i) 
3  3.1623  2 
 
 
When this sweep starts, the output will go to the start level (1 V) and sweep through the symmetrical 
log points.  
To configure a logarithmic staircase sweep, use the smuX.trigger.source.logY()function. This 
function configures the source values the source-measure unit (SMU) will output when performing a 
logarithmic sweep. After configuring the sweep, you must also enable the source action by setting the 
following attribute: 
smuX.trigger.source.action 
 
Log Step Size
log10(stop-0) log10(start-0)–
Points 1–
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
log10(10) log10(1)–
5 1–
-----------------------------------------------------=
1 0–( )
4
-----------------=
0.25=