An ideal operational amplifier has infinite differential open-loop gain, infinite input impedance, zero output impedance, unlimited bandwidth and slew rate, and zero input offset voltage, input bias current and intrinsic noise. The idealized model has no finite output-swing or output-current limit.
The usual circuit rules areThe first follows from infinite input impedance. The second follows because a finite output requires as the open-loop gain tends to infinity. It is a virtual equality of potentials, not a conducting connection between the inputs. It cannot be imposed for open-loop operation or after an amplifier reaches its supply rails.
A real operational amplifier has large but finite, frequency-dependent open-loop gain; the gain falls and its phase changes at higher frequencies. Finite bandwidth and slew rate constrain small-signal and large-signal responses respectively. There are also finite input impedance and output impedance, nonzero input bias currents and input offset voltage, and internally generated noise. Offset and bias can drift with temperature.
The output is limited by the supply voltages and output-current capability, and the inputs have a permitted common-mode range. Rejection of common-mode and supply changes is finite. Consequently need not vanish exactly, and neither the virtual-ground approximation nor linear gain formulas apply after saturation. For the calculation below the stipulated infinite input impedance removes the input loading currents, while finite gain and optionally finite output resistance are retained.
Slew rate 2026-10-18
The slew rate bounds the large-signal output-voltage change per unit time. It is distinct from a small-signal gain-bandwidth product. A sinusoidal output of amplitude and angular frequency needs below the available slew rate to avoid this source of distortion.