Patent · US Expired

Ion source apparatus

US4641031A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
3References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 9, 1985
Grant dateFeb 3, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 9, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J27/14
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An ion source apparatus comprising a bulk type thermionic cathode, which, when heated, emits thermoelectrons; an anode for causing a gas discharge in cooperation with the cathode thereby producing plasma; a grid electrode for extracting ions out of the plasma; a magnetic member for confining the plasma within a prescribed region; and a ferromagnetic body which surrounds the thermionic cathode. The ferromagnetic body removes the lines of magnetic force produced by magnets from the neighborhood of the surface of the thermionic cathode. As a result, thermoelectrons are freely emitted from the thermionic cathode, thereby ensuring a stable gas discharge.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.