A numerical model of electromagnetic fields generated by electrostatic discharge spark

Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) generated by electrostatic discharge (ESD) spark can severely interfere in normal operation of the electronic systems and even damage them. In this paper, a numerical model of electromagnetic fields generated by ESD spark is presented using FiniteDifference TimeDomain (FDTD) method, in which the influence of electrostatic charge on the electrode over the electric field is taken into account. Electromagnetic fields calculated by this model are compared with those by the analytic method and they make a good agreement with each other. Therefore, this model can be applied to study energy coupling problems between electromagnetic fields generated by ESD spark and electronic systems.