Method of Examining the Electrical Properties of Objects using Electric Fields

Abstract

The electrical properties of objects are examined, using electric fields. An object is arranged on an apparatus having a first electrode (201) and a second electrode (202). The first electrode is energised during a first strobing operation of a scanning-cycle and the second electrode is monitored during this first strobing operation. Thereafter, during a second strobing operation, the second electrode is energised and the first electrode is monitored.

1 . A method of examining electrical properties of objects, using electric fields, comprising the steps of:
 arranging an object on an apparatus having a first electrode and a second electrode;   energising said first electrode during a first strobing operation of a scanning cycle;   monitoring said second electrode during said first strobing operation;   energising said second electrode during a second strobing operation of said scanning cycle; and   monitoring said first electrode during said second strobing operation.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus includes a plurality of additional electrodes. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the steps of:
 sequentially energising each of said additional electrodes during respective strobing operations of said scanning cycle; and   for a selected energised electrode N, monitoring, when electrode N−1 is present, electrode N−1, and then monitoring, when electrode N+1 is present, electrode N+1 during respective strobing operations of said scanning cycle.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of analysing data produced by said monitoring steps after performing a complete scanning cycle. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the steps of:
 modifying a scanning characteristic in response to said analysing step; and   conducting a further scanning cycle.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said modifying step includes modifying said energising step. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , in which each strobing operation includes the energising step and the monitoring step, wherein:
 each said energising step includes applying an input voltage pulse to a selected input electrode; and   said monitoring step includes sampling an output voltage received on a selected output electrode.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , in which each strobing operation includes the energising step and the monitoring step, wherein:
 each said energising step includes applying an input voltage pulse to a selected input electrode; and   said monitoring step includes sampling an output voltage received on a selected output electrode.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3 , in which each strobing operation includes the energising step and the monitoring step, wherein:
 each said energising step includes applying an input voltage pulse to a selected input electrode; and   said monitoring step includes sampling an output voltage received on a selected output electrode.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , in which each strobing operation includes the energising step and the monitoring step, wherein:
 each said energising step includes applying an input voltage pulse to a selected input electrode; and   said monitoring step includes sampling an output voltage received on a selected output electrode.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 4 , in which each strobing operation includes the energising step and the monitoring step, wherein:
 each said energising step includes applying an input voltage pulse to a selected input electrode; and   said monitoring step includes sampling an output voltage received on a selected output electrode.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein:
 said applying step includes applying said input voltage pulse via a de-multiplexing process; and   said sampling step includes receiving an output voltage via a multiplexing process.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said electrodes define a plurality of parallel tracks; and   said electric fields extend between adjacent parallel tracks.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said electrodes define a plurality of parallel tracks; and   said electric fields extend between adjacent parallel tracks.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein:
 said electrodes define a plurality of parallel tracks; and   said electric fields extend between adjacent parallel tracks.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein:
 said electrodes define a plurality of parallel tracks; and   said electric fields extend between adjacent parallel tracks.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said electric fields extend between electrodes of a first set of substantially parallel tracks that includes said first electrode and electrodes of a second set of substantially parallel tracks that includes said second electrode; and   said second set of substantially parallel tracks are substantially orthogonal to said first set of substantially parallel tracks.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said electric fields extend between electrodes of a first set of substantially parallel tracks that includes said first electrode and electrodes of a second set of substantially parallel tracks that includes said second electrode; and   said second set of substantially parallel tracks are substantially orthogonal to said first set of substantially parallel tracks.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein:
 said electric fields extend between electrodes of a first set of substantially parallel tracks that includes said first electrode and electrodes of a second set of substantially parallel tracks that includes said second electrode; and   said second set of substantially parallel tracks are substantially orthogonal to said first set of substantially parallel tracks.