What is the difference between using a nFET vs OP-Amp as a unity gain amplifier, i.e. voltage follower.
Application: Provide constant voltage with a variable load, see example below:
Min Current 0.1mA, Max Current 600mA
Common-Drain Amplifer vs OP-Amp for unity gain (voltage Follower)
amplifiermosfetoperational-amplifiervoltagevoltage-regulator
Related Solutions
How about this? You do give up very high impedance input, but the resistors do not have to all be 1K.
The amplifier CA3130 is NOT unity gain stable. That means: For 100% feedback the unit will oscillate - mostly with amplitudes reachning the power rails. Follow the data sheet recommendations and use a compensation capacitor (>47 pF).
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Best Answer
You can do what you want with an NFET or an opamp.
If you use an NFET there will always be a voltage difference between Vin and Vout, this is caused by the Vgs of the NFET. This Vgs is also somewhat dependant on the load current. So if for example Vin = 4 V, your Vout could be 2 V if you draw 600 mA. For very low Vin (below 2 V) it can be that you will get 0 V at Vout.
Using an opamp will give more accurate results, however 600 mA is too much for most opamps. There are opamps that can deliver such a current but I am unsure if they can do so with a 5 V supply.
You could also combine an opamp and a NFET, something like discussed here But again the 5V supply might be limiting, for 600 mA.
Also note that you will need some cooling (a small heatsing) for the NFET or the power opamp in case you will be drawing the 600 mA.
As suggested above, it will be a good excersize to use a simulator (LTspice or QUCS) and try this out for yourself at 0 cost (OK just some time).