Static event detection/protection device

• US 6,583,612 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2001
• Issued: 06/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James P. Karins, Niels F. Jacksen
• Original Assignee: James P. Karins, Niels F. Jacksen
• Inventors: Jacksen, Niels F., Karins, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): KARLSEN, ERNEST F
• Application Number:
  US09/755,712
• Publication Number:
  US 20010004208A1
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• Field of Search: 324/96, 324/72, 324/102, 324/103.P, 324/122, 324/133, 324/244.1, 340/600, 345/86, 359/280, 359/282, 359/295
• US Class Current: 324/96
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/002 where the device under test is an electronic circuit
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 5/28 Electrostatic instruments
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0254 High voltage adaptations; Electrical insulation details; Overvoltage or electrostatic discharge protection electrostatic discharge protection for electric apparatus in general H05K9/0067, H05K9/0079; Arrangements for regulating voltages or for using plural voltages
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0266 Marks, test patterns or identification means

Abstract

A reusable miniaturized detector that utilizes magneto-optic elements to detect the occurrence of an electrostatic discharge during the manufacture or handling of electrostatic discharge sensitive electronic components and circuit boards. The device may also be used to determine the polarity and magnitude of the electrostatic discharge. The device may be manually or automatically read, either by removing the device from the environment being monitored or continuously monitoring in situ. The device can also be configured to provide protection to some electrostatic discharge events which could damage sensitive components being monitored.

Claims

1. An electrostatic discharge event detector for detecting a magnitude of an electrostatic discharge, comprising:

a substrate;

at least one conductor patterned from a metal layer deposited on the substrate, the conductor acting as an antenna for receiving a voltage produced by an electro-static discharge, the received voltage inducing a current to flow through the conductor sufficient to generate a magnetic field around the conductor;

a first pair of magneto-optic elements having a first magnetic state formed spaced apart by a first distance on the substrate such that the conductor is located equidistant between the magneto-optic elements;

a second pair of magneto-optic elements having a first magnetic state formed spaced apart by a second distance that is larger than the first distance on the substrate such that the conductor is located equidistant between the magneto-optic elements;

wherein the first and second pairs of magneto-optic elements are capable of switching from the first magnetic state to a second magnetic in response to a magnetic field having a field strength that exceeds a predetermined field strength at the location of the magneto-optic elements; and

wherein the magnitude of the electrostatic discharge may be determined from the magnetic state of the magneto-optic elements.