Inventors:
Kenneth M. Mitzner - Torrance CA
Darin S. Hunzeker - Mission Viejo CA
William Hant - Los Angeles CA
Silvan S. Locus - Van Nuys CA
John C. Bryant - Los Alamitos CA
Assignee:
Northrop Grumman Corporation - Los Angeles CA
International Classification:
G01R 2726
G01R 3108
Abstract:
A probe for measurement of an electrically conductive surface covered by an insulating cover layer has a pair of electrically conductive pads for capacitive coupling to the conductive surface. The pads may be formed by photolithography as part of a disk of a metallic layer disposed on a substrate of low dielectric material such as fibrous glass in an epoxy binder, the pads being separated by a relatively narrow gap. Included within the probe is an electrically insulating holder for supporting the substrate and the pads, the holder being configured to facilitate manual manipulation of the probe. The probe connects with a signal analyzer which provides a test signal coupled to the pads via a coaxial transmission line. During a sliding of the pads along the cover layer, electrical characteristics of a signal coupled capacitively via the pads to the conductive surface are analyzed by the analyzer to provide information on electrical continuity and resistivity of the surface.
