A novel ion monitoring device

A new design for an ion monitoring device is proposed. This ion monitor is capable of simultaneous measurement of positive and negative ion currents resulting from the presence of airborne ions (as created by an air ionizer, for example). Information acquired in this way can be used in real-time monitoring of ionizer. Ion balance and production rate of ions of both polarities can be recorded by the new ion monitor, regardless of the type of the ionizer. Robustness and feasibility of the newly developed instrument were verified against the standard charged plate monitor unit (ANSI ESD STM 3.1-2000: EOS/ESD Association Standard for Protection of Electronic Discharge Susceptible Items-Ionization, ESD Association, 2000). The ion monitor significantly shortens the time necessary to evaluate an ionizer, and may additionally provide a feedback signal needed to keep an ionizer unit in balance.