Assessment of ESD threats to electronic components

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a major source of failures in electronic devices and products detected during manufacturing. Reduction of semiconductor element dimensions as well as implementation of new product and production technologies have made many devices extremely vulnerable to disturbances of electrostatic origin. Effective ESD damage prevention requires that ESD threats are carefully assessed and understood. This paper reviews new research results on electrostatic discharges as well as tools for the assessment of ESD threats to electronic components. Influences of the new results on the ESD control are discussed. There is a need to modify existing standards for the ESD control in electronics industry in order to meet challenges related to the manufacturing of future electronic products.