Electronic – the name of the current that creates the potential difference in an opamp

operational-amplifierterminology

Almost zero current is drawn by an opamp from its inputs (in theory), but still there must be tiny current causing the opamp to feel the voltage. What is the name of that sort of current in electrical engineering terminology?

Best Answer

It's called "input bias current", if you're referring to the current that flows into the input terminals. See this tutorial from Analog Devices, which discusses the current in great detail. It points out that the input bias current \$I_B\$ can vary from a tiny 60 fA to many μA depending on the device. (60 fA is one electron every 3 microseconds, which is impressively low.)

You could also be referring to the input offset current \$I_{OS}\$, which is the difference between the two input bias currents.