Indirect ESD measurement using a short monopole antenna

The measurement of electromagnetic fields generated by indirect electrostatic discharge (ESD) between low-voltage-charged metal objects with the use of very short monopole antennas has clarified the hitherto unknown specific characteristics of the impulse field which features the ultrawideband characteristics and unipolarity. The antenna is described, and conditions for the generation of a unipolar impulse and an ultrawideband impulse are established. It is concluded that the short monopole antenna is the best 'probe' for capturing ultrawideband and impulse phenomena, and may be regarded as an essential tool for picosecond-range time domain measurement techniques.<<ETX>>