Resolution-Enhancing Structure for the Electric Field Microsensor Chip.

Electrostatic voltage is a vital parameter in industrial production lines, for reducing electrostatic discharge harms and improving yields. Due to such drawbacks as package shielding and low resolution, previously reported electric field microsensors are still not applicable for industrial static monitoring uses. In this paper, we introduce a newly designed microsensor package structure, which enhances the field strength inside the package cavity remarkably. This magnification effect was studied and optimized by both theoretical calculation and ANSYS simulation. By means of the digital synthesizer and digital coherent demodulation method, the compact signal processing circuit for the packaged microsensor was also developed. The meter prototype was calibrated above a charged metal plate, and the electric field resolution was 5 V/m, while the measuring error was less than 3 V, from −1 kV to 1 kV in a 2 cm distance. The meter was also installed into a production line and showed good consistency with, and better resolution than, a traditional vibratory capacitance sensor.