Ion source having wide output current operating range
US6060718A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 26, 1998 |
| Grant date | May 9, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 26, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J2237/31701
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An attenuator (90) for an ion source (26) is provided. The ion source comprises a plasma chamber (76) in which a gas is ionized by an exciter (78) to create a plasma which is extractable through at least one aperture (64) in an apertured portion (50) of the chamber to form an ion beam. The attenuator (90) comprises a member (90) positioned within the chamber (76) intermediate the exciter (78) and the at least one aperture (64), the member providing at least one first opening (97) corresponding the at least one aperture (64), and being moveable between first and second positions with respect to the at least one aperture. In one embodiment, in the first position, the member is positioned adjacent the aperture (64) to obstruct at least a portion of the aperture, and in the second position the member is positioned away from the aperture (64) so as not to obstruct the aperture. In a second embodiment, the aperture (64) resides in an aperture plate (50) and (i) the member and the aperture plate form a generally closed region (102) between the aperture plate and the chamber (76) when the member is in the first position, and (ii) the aperture (64) is in direct communication with the chambe…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.