Methodology to simulate speed of approach in electrostatic discharge (ESD)

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a charge driven phenomenon. As a body with fixed charge approaches another conductor, system capacitance coefficients and body potentials are altered; a discharge occurs if the electric field between the two bodies exceeds the critical breakdown strength of air for the defined geometry. Here, a novel technique is described to simulate the speed of approach for a given electrode geometry and spacing; the analysis is performed with a static configuration of the conductors. A variable dc supply V₀ and an adjustable extemal R₀C₀, charging network are employed in this method to simulate the time rate of change of potential which exists during the actual physical approach of the bodies. Control of the system parameters (V₀, R₀, C₀) gives the ability to study the effect of practical speeds of approach, of the order of 1 cm/s to 100 cm/s.