Patent ID: 6172496
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: G01R,H05K

Abstract:
An electrostatic discharge event detector 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;a magneto-optic element formed from a film deposited on the substrate and patterned such that the magneto-optic element is formed next to the conductor, the magneto-optic element having a magnetized state and being capable of switching to a demagnetized state in the presence of a magnetic field having a field strength that exceeds a predetermined field strength at the location of the magneto-optic element;whereby the magneto-optic element switches from the magnetized state to the demagnetized state when the conductor receives a voltage from an electrostatic discharge that induces a current to flow through the conductor sufficient to generate a magnetic field around the conductor that exceeds the predetermined field strength of the magneto-optic element.