Inventors:
Robert P. Frankenthal - Summit NJ
David J. Siconolfi - New Providence NJ
James D. Sinclair - Summit NJ
Assignee:
AT&T Corp. - Murray Hill NJ
International Classification:
G01N 1700
Abstract:
This invention is embodied in an apparatus for assessing the effects of controlled amounts of well-characterized ionic or other particles on the reliability of electronic components. The chamber includes a high efficiency filter that purifies the input air and a recirculating system which ensures substantially laminar, constant velocity air flow, controllable humidity, and steady state conditions throughout at least a portion of the chamber. Particles are introduced into the chamber from a particle generator through a series of output ports that ensure a uniform concentration of particles throughout at least a portion of the chamber. Substantially constant conditions are achieved by constantly introducing new particles into the chamber, withdrawing a continuous flow of particle-laden air from the chamber, removing essentially all the particles from the particle-laden air withdrawn from the chamber and introducing a continuous flow of filtered air into the chamber. Additionally provisions for monitoring particle concentrations and size distribution, for controlling the relative humidity in the chamber, and for carrying out electrical aging and testing can be incorporated.
