10.1: Theory Overview

Op amps usually contain an internal compensation capacitor, \(C_c\). This capacitor enforces a 20 dB per decade gain slope up to the unity-gain frequency, and allows stable voltage gains down to unity. Unfortunately, this will not normally produce optimal values for small signal bandwidth and slew rate for gains considerably greater than unity. In the case where unity-gain stability is not required, a smaller value for \(C_c\) may be used, resulting in improved bandwidth and slew rate. Non-compensated op amps include connections for an external compensation capacitor that can be adjusted for optimal performance.

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