Device for Contactless Voltage Measurement

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention describes a device for contactless measurement of voltage on a sample, suitable for measuring steady (DC), slowly changing, and rapidly varying (AC and transient) voltages across a wide frequency range (from 0 Hz up to hundreds of MHz). The device uses a conductive probe that is mechanically moved near the sample to induce a current, which is then amplified, rectified, corrected, and summed using various electronic components to yield an accurate voltage output that captures both static and dynamic voltage components, all without physically touching the sample.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Quality control and characterization of photovoltaic cells under changing illumination conditions
• Measurement of surface potential and transient voltages in semiconductors, metals, insulators, or electronic components without the risk of contamination or electrical loading
• Inspection of sensitive electronics where physical contact would be detrimental or alter the measurement results
• Electrostatic and surface voltage mapping in materials science laboratories
• Non-invasive voltage diagnostics in microelectronics manufacturing or research environments

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables broadband, contactless voltage measurement from pure DC up to very high frequencies in a single setup, removing the need to move samples between different instruments
• Prevents sample contamination, damage, or alteration by avoiding direct electrical contact, which is critical in sensitive or easily influenced materials
• Improves measurement throughput and accuracy by eliminating mode changes or sample repositioning for different frequency ranges
• Able to capture both transient and steady-state voltage information, making it highly versatile
• Adaptable for use on a wide range of sample types, including metals, semiconductors, insulators, and photovoltaic devices

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a device for non-contact voltage measurement on a sample (1) for transient, time-variable and constant voltages, wherein the device comprises at least the following components: a conductive measuring probe (2), a generator (3) configured to move the measuring probe back and forth at least along an axis at a generator frequency, such that when the measuring probe (2) is brought into the vicinity of a sample (1), an electric probe current is generated in said measuring probe; an amplifier (6), which is connected to the measuring probe by a first amplifier input and is configured to convert the probe current into an amplifier voltage, and to provide said amplifier voltage at an output of the amplifier; a rectifier (7) connected to the output of the amplifier (6), wherein the rectifier (7) is furthermore connected to the generator (3), a controller (8) connected to the rectifier (7), wherein an output of the controller (8) is connected to the measuring probe (2), the sample (1) or to a second amplifier input of the amplifier (6), and wherein the controller (8) is configured to output at an output of the controller (8) a controller voltage that counteracts the rectified voltage of the rectifier (7), specifically such that the rectified voltage of the rectifier (7) vanishes, wherein the amplifier (6) has a lower limit frequency that is less than the generator frequency, and an upper limit frequency that is greater than the generator frequency, and wherein the device (100) is configured to provide the amplifier voltage at a first output (21) of the device for the amplifier voltage or a component (10, 11) of the device (100), wherein an equalizer (10) is connected to the first output of the device (21) and/or to the amplifier output, and wherein the equalizer (10) is configured to modify the amplifier voltage as if the amplifier (6) had a lower limit frequency of less than 10 Hz, and wherein the equalizer (10) has an output (23), at which the modified amplifier voltage is provided, and wherein the device (100) is connected to a summer (11) via the first output (21) and a second output for the controller voltage (22) of the device (100), said summer being configured to add the modified amplifier voltage from the equalizer (10) and the controller voltage to form an output voltage and to output the latter and to provide the output voltage at a summation output (24) of the summer (11).