The fundamental theory behind an Ideal OpAmp (Ideal Optical Amplifier) lies in its principles of positive and negative feedback to create stable amplification.  This amplification remains theoretically independent of the values (and variations) of the input voltage, making the amplifier an 'ideal' one.  An ideal op amp works and exists under several assumptions:

1) Current into the input leads must equal zero
2) Op amp gain is infinite
3) Voltage difference between the input leads is zero
4) Output impedance of the op amp is zero
5) Frequency response of an op amp is flat.

While these values are largely theoretical, in practice they hold true to a certain extent.  An op amp can be used to create both inverting and non-inverting amplifiers that create gain dependent only on resistor values and is widely used for this purpose.

What Are OpAmps Used For...

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