rhd instruments GmbH & Co. KG, Otto-Hesse-Str.
19/T3, 64293 Darmstadt
Tel.: 06151-8707187, E-Mail: info@[Link]
RelaxIS 3 – Basic Tutorial
Contents of this Tutorial
In this tutorial you will learn the following steps:
• Creating a new project folder
• Loading of an unknown data file into RelaxIS
• Plotting the spectrum in different representations
• Assigning the spectrum to a model, here: an equivalent circuit
• Fitting the spectrum
• Examining the fit results
Please follow the steps to get a basic idea of how to work with RelaxIS 3. Please install and start
RelaxIS 3 to begin.
Step 1 – Creating the Project Folder
On the Welcome Screen click “Create new project” or, if you deactivated the Welcome
Screen, choose Main > Project Folder > New from the ribbon bar.
This creates a new, empty project folder.
Step 2 – Adding the Data
Click the Data and Quality > Data Files > Add button on the main ribbon bar.
In the Filename field, enter: %relaxis_appdata%\Tutorials\Basic and press Enter.
Select [Link] in the folder view and click Open.
This opens the data file and displays the Unknown Data File dialog.
Step 3 – Designating the File Format
Using the drop-down menus above each column, select Frequency > Z’ > Z’’ as the column
designations.
Alternatively, use the Premade button to select F | Z’ | Z’’ to auto-assign the correct designations.
Click OK (This File) once you have entered the correct column designations.
RelaxIS - Impedance Spectrum Analysis © 2013-2017 Jens Wallauer
rhd instruments GmbH & Co. KG, Otto-Hesse-Str. 19/T3, 64293 Darmstadt
Tel.: 06151-8707187, E-Mail: info@[Link]
Step 4 – Selecting Different Plots
Click the Plotting > Data Explorer > Change Preset button to change the type of plot to show
the data in. You can cycle between the Nyquist Plot and Bode Plots of Z’/-Z’’ or |Z|/Phase
Angle.
Alternatively, you can click the bottom-part of the button and select the plot you wish to
use directly.
When you have tried the different plot types, please return to the Nyquist Plot.
Step 5 – Selecting Different Transfer Functions
Click the Fitting > Fit Components > Transfer Function button to change the transfer
function that the data is represented in. You can cycle between the Impedance, Admittance,
Complex Capacitance and Elastance.
Alternatively, you can click the bottom-part of the button and select the transfer function
directly.
When you have tried the different transfer functions, please return to the Impedance.
RelaxIS - Impedance Spectrum Analysis © 2013-2017 Jens Wallauer
rhd instruments GmbH & Co. KG, Otto-Hesse-Str. 19/T3, 64293 Darmstadt
Tel.: 06151-8707187, E-Mail: info@[Link]
Step 6 – Assigning the Spectrum to a Model
Click the top part of the Data and Quality > Spectra > Move to Model button to assign the
spectrum to an equivalent circuit.
In the Build a Model dialog that is displayed, type R-(R)(C) into the input box.
Alternatively, click the following button combination:
.
Please click OK once you are done.
Afterwards, the Spectra Selection dialog is shown. Select the Current Model radiobutton to select all
spectra from the current model (which is just the one in this example).
Please click OK to continue. Your spectrum is now assigned to the equivalent circuit, but it is not yet
fitted.
Step 7 – Setting Initial Parameters
Notice that a new graph has appeared in the Data Explorer window. This shows the plot of the
equivalent circuit with the current parameters, displayed in the Parameter Explorer window.
Notice further, that the plot is still a bit off of the data.
In the Parameter Explorer window, click the Resistance 1 > Value cell and enter 30. Press Enter to
confirm.
Click the Resistance 2 > Value cell and enter 70. Press Enter to confirm.
RelaxIS - Impedance Spectrum Analysis © 2013-2017 Jens Wallauer
rhd instruments GmbH & Co. KG, Otto-Hesse-Str. 19/T3, 64293 Darmstadt
Tel.: 06151-8707187, E-Mail: info@[Link]
While entering the values you can notice two things:
• The blue fit plot changes according to the entered values (the circle moves left and increases
in width).
• Another light-green line appears and should be aligned over the data points.
The light-green line is a Test Fit. This shows you what would happen if you fit the data right
now with the current settings (parameter values, transfer function, weights, algorithm,
etc.).
The test fit is automatically done every time you alter significant settings. This is called the
Live Test function.
Since the light-green line aligns with the data, we can be sure that the fit will succeed.
Step 8 – Fitting the Data
Press the Fitting > Perform Fits > Single button to execute the fit with the current settings.
Notice the following:
• The Test Fit disappeared.
• The blue Fit graph now aligns with the data.
• The values in the Parameter Explorer table have changed and now show the fit results.
• The Error values for all parameters in the Parameter Explorer window now show (very small)
values indicating the uncertainty of the fit for each parameter.
RelaxIS - Impedance Spectrum Analysis © 2013-2017 Jens Wallauer
rhd instruments GmbH & Co. KG, Otto-Hesse-Str. 19/T3, 64293 Darmstadt
Tel.: 06151-8707187, E-Mail: info@[Link]
Step 9 – Examining the Fit Quality
Click the Fit Results > Results > Fit Information button.
Here you can find many additional information about the recently performed fit for the selected
spectrum.
Summary
You have seen how to load data into a project folder in RelaxIS. Afterwards you have examined the
spectrum in different representations before assigning it to a suitable equivalent circuit.
You have set up the fit using manual entry of parameter values with the help of the live fit graph as
well as the Live Test function.
Finally, you have examined the fit quality using the Fit Information feature.
RelaxIS - Impedance Spectrum Analysis © 2013-2017 Jens Wallauer