The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 13, 1993
Filed:
Feb. 26, 1992
Andrew J LePage, Hampstead, NH (US);
Digital Equipment Corporation, Maynard, MA (US);
Abstract
A non-contact testing device for detecting continuity or shorts in conductors of a printed circuit board or integrated circuit employs a laser-activated plasma to make electrical connection between a test probe and a node under test. The plasma is generated in air in a small chamber which is subjected to a concentrated laser pulse, and the plasma exits the chamber due to its self-generated pressure. An electrically-conductive plume of ionized gas (i.e., plasma) is thus used to probe a circuit without making physical contact by a probe. Preferably, the chamber is a conical shape with metallic walls, and the laser pulse is directed into the chamber by a fiber optic cable ending at the large end of the chamber. The plasma exits an orifice at the small end of the conical chamber. The device may be moved about by an X-Y positioning mechanism to probe the circuit under test.