Voltmeter measures voltage on ESD-sensitive devices.
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Press Release Summary:
Infinitron(TM) electrostatic voltmeter with hand-held probe provides contacting voltage measurements with virtually no transfer of electric charge to or from measured object. It measures site-specific voltage during handling and processing to identify and rectify problems that could result in harmful ESD events. Measurement range is 0-±100 Vdc or peak ac at ±0.1% accuracy. Resistance greater than 1016 ohms provides infinite impedance loading and lack of charge transfer.
Original Press Release:
TREK Introduces Ultra-High Impedance Voltmeter
Infinitron(TM) allows contacting voltage measurement with virtually no charge transfer
Product Meets Market Need to Accurately Measure Site-Specific Voltage on ESD-Sensitive Devices During Handling and Processing in Semiconductor, Electronic Assembly,
Hard Disk Drive and other Electrostatic-Sensitive Environments and Applications
15 November 2005, Medina, NY (USA) - TREK, INC. announces the introduction of a new ultra-high impedance voltmeter called the Infinitron(TM). This new electrostatic voltmeter with hand-held probe enables contacting voltage measurements to be made with virtually no transfer of electric charge to/from the measured object, unlike other products in the market that transfer charge upon contact. The Infinitron(TM) meets a market need to effectively measure site-specific voltage on devices sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD), during their handling and processing, in order to identify and rectify problems in the process that could result in potentially devastating ESD events. As the trend toward device miniaturization continues, the ability to do real-time, non-disruptive, non-loading, site-specific voltage measurements becomes critically important for ESD prevention and control.
The Infinitron(TM) offers a significant advancement in the "state of the art" for ESD management in semiconductor, electronic assembly, hard disk drive and other electrostatic-sensitive environments and applications. Other applications that could benefit from the Infinitron(TM) include medical/biomedical devices, powder handling (chemical, pharmaceutical, ceramic and other materials), electrostatic painting/coating, test & measurement, instrumentation, quality control, materials evaluation, military, automotive, aerospace, and R&D applications.
Trek's Infinitron(TM) responds to an evolving need in various markets to go beyond measurement and management of the ESD-sensitive facility environment (for which air ionizers and charged plate monitors are useful). Now, by measuring voltage precisely on the ESD-sensitive device itself, in real time and throughout the entire process - using the Infinitron(TM) - a more accurate and site-specific view of ESD issues, and their cause/effect, can be obtained. This enables highly relevant (cost-effective) process improvements to be made in pursuit of minimizing device destruction and latent damage, thereby enhancing product integrity and production yields.
Trek's unique design in the Infinitron(TM) allows for true and accurate voltage readings, unlike other contacting voltmeters in the market which not only measure inaccurately but can actually cause ESD events during measurement, due to their charge-transferring measurement technology.
"The interest in Trek's Infinitron, from experts in the industry, has exceeded our expectations," said Bruce Williams, chief designer of the Infinitron(TM). "Using the Infinitron, our ability to accurately measure voltage at a surface, by contact, without affecting the charge of the surface, and without causing an ESD event, has generated true excitement in the electrostatic community," added Williams.
The Infinitron(TM) features an extremely high input impedance (resistance greater than 1016 ohm) and very low input capacitance (less than 10-15 Farad). This ultra high resistance provides infinite impedance loading and lack of charge transfer, thereby avoiding the creation of an ESD event.
The Infinitron(TM) provides a measurement range of 0 to ±100 V DC or peak AC at ±0.1% accuracy. Bandwidth is greater than 10 kHz and speed of response is less than 100 µs for a 100 V step change (10% to 90%).
The ability to accurately measure a very small area, using the Infinitron(TM) and its contacting probe, results in very high spatial resolution measurement capability. This is a significant advantage over other measurement instruments which are limited by the inherent characteristics of non-contacting measurement technology.
Additional features of the Infinitron(TM) include a user-friendly design, informative digital display, hold-and-zero modes, and optional probe tip shapes and sizes. (Trek offers round, flat and pointed tip shapes; tip sizes range from the standard diameter of 1.27 mm with options down to 0.76 mm.) Customized options are available. Efforts are underway to get the Infinitron(TM) CE marked for the European community.
Standard pricing in the USA for Trek's Infinitron(TM) starts at $5725 US Funds for the set (instrument, probe, carry case and AC adapter). For details on specifications, customizing options or other information please contact TREK, INC. at 585-798-3140 or via info@trekinc.com.
Trek is known in the marketplace for its novel "non-contacting" voltmeter designs, first introduced in 1968 to address charge transfer issues associated with contacting voltmeter designs at the time. Trek's non-contacting instruments continue to find extensive use in environments where surface contact must be avoided. Trek's new Infinitron(TM) contacting voltmeter advances the state of the art, enabling precision and accuracy when an application requires surface contact measurements. This need for site-specific measurement is taking on greater importance as electronics are miniaturized, and other critical surface phenomena are being scrutinized.
TREK, INC. (est. 1968) is a privately held company that designs, manufactures and sells high performance electrostatic measurement instruments, sensors & monitors, and high voltage amplifiers, power supplies & generators. Trek's products are used by OEMs involved in semiconductor manufacturing and electrophotography; in applications sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD); and by companies and universities involved in a wide variety of research applications, including electrostatics, electrophotography, piezoelectrics, electrohydrodynamics, and plasma chemistry. Customers include numerous Fortune 500 companies and leading universities. For more information call 585-798-3140, or go to www.trekinc.com.
