Temperature Forcing Systems integrate air ionization capability.
September 22, 2010 -
Series T-2500 incorporates thermal air ionization (T-ION) module, enhancing safe testing of semiconductor devices at cold/hot temperatures by eliminating potential ESD events. Utilizing corona-based design, T-ION module adds positive and negative ions to thermal air stream to neutralize formation of triboelectric charge. Ionizer also removes any previously existing static charge from surface, if present. Specifically, existing charge of ±1,500 V is reduced to ±20 V in under 10 sec.
(Archive News Story - Products mentioned in this Archive News Story may or may not be available from the manufacturer.)
Original Press release
THERMONICS - A Test Enterprises Company
1288 Reamwood Ave.
Sunnyvale, CA, 94089
USA
Thermonics Adds Air Ionization Capability to its T-2500 Series of Precision Temperature Forcing Systems
Sunnyvale, CA, USA ----- Thermonics, Inc., the acknowledged leading manufacturer of Precision Temperature Forcing Systems announced today that it has incorporated a thermal air ionization (T-ION) module as a standard feature on its line of T-2500 Precision Temperature Forcing Systems. This advanced feature enhances the product lines' ability to safely test semiconductor devices at cold and hot temperatures by eliminating potential electrostatic discharge (ESD) events.
Electrostatic charges can be caused by dry air being forced onto non-conductive surfaces or an ungrounded conductive surface such as the metal lid on a semiconductor device. The friction of the air on these surfaces can create a triboelectric charge upwards of a thousand volts, triggering an ESD event that is capable of damaging the device under test (DUT).
The air ionizer module, utilizing a corona-based design, adds positive and negative ions to the thermal air stream, neutralizing the formation of the triboelectric charge. The ionizer will also remove any previously existing static charge from the surface, if one is present. Specifically, the ionizer will reduce an existing charge of ±1500 volts down to ±20 volts in less than 10 secondsi. Proprietary, built-in technology ensures the ion balance and eliminates the need for ionizer calibration.
The performance specifications of the Thermonics T-2500 series are not affected by the addition of the T-ION module. Standard features include:
Temperature ranges: -100C to +300C
Fast temperature transition: 4 seconds
High thermal air flow rates: 1200 SCFH (20 SCFM)
Advanced graphical user interface (GUI) with touch screen
GPIB (IEEE-488) remote control capability
The T-2500 series of Precision Temperature Forcing Systems (http://thermonics.com/products/forcing.html) are used for temperature testing of semiconductor devices that include integrated circuits, hybrids, and PCBs. Applications include product characterization, quality assurance, and production testing at temperature.
Thermonics, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets localized Precision Temperature Forcing Systems for domestic and international semiconductor manufacturers and end users of semiconductor devices. Thermonics is the leader in providing advanced Precision Temperature Forcing Systems utilizing mechanical refrigeration as the cooling mechanism.
For more information, contact:
James Kufis
Thermonics, Inc.
1288 Reamwood Ave
Sunnyvale, CA 94089-2233, USA
Tel: (408) 542-5900
sales@thermonics.com
www.thermonics.com
i Testing for compliance was performed with a charge plate monitor in accordance with ionization standard ANSI/ESD STM3.1-2000 of the ESD Association.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 
