Editing Operational amplifier (section)

==== Frequency compensation ====
The innovation of the Fairchild μA741 was the introduction of [[frequency compensation]] via an on-chip (monolithic) capacitor, simplifying application of the op amp by eliminating the need for external components for this function. The 30&nbsp;pF capacitor stabilizes the amplifier via [[Miller effect|Miller compensation]] and functions in a manner similar to an op-amp [[integrator]] circuit. Also known as ''dominant [[Pole (complex analysis)|pole]] compensation'' because it introduces a pole that masks (dominates) the effects of other poles into the open loop frequency response; in a 741 op amp this pole can be as low as 10&nbsp;Hz (where it causes a −3&nbsp;dB loss of open loop voltage gain).

This internal compensation is provided to achieve [[BIBO stability|unconditional stability]] of the amplifier in negative feedback configurations where the feedback network is non-reactive and the [[loop gain]] is [[unity (mathematics)|unity]] or higher. In contrast, amplifiers requiring external compensation, such as the μA748, may require external compensation or closed-loop gains significantly higher than unity.