Electron-bombardment ion source including segmented anode of electrically conductive, magnetic material
AssigneeIon Tech Limited
InventorsPaul D. Reader, Harold R. Kaufman
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Abstract
An electron-bombardment ion source has a chamber into which an ionizable propellant is introduced. Electrons flowing from a cathode to an anode serve to ionize the propellant. The resulting ions are accelerated out of the chamber. To increase the efficiency of ionization of the propellant by the electrons, a magnetic field is established within the chamber. To that end, there are a plurality of successively-spaced segments of electrically-conductive magnetic material. The segments are interconnected so as, collectively, to serve as the anode. Individually adjacent ones of the segments are respectively polarized as magnetic opposites, the segments together serving to establish the magnetic field.
Claims13
In an electron-bombardment ion source which includes:
- means defining a chamber for containing an ionizable propellant;
- means for introducing said propellant within said chamber;
- an anode disposed within said chamber;
- an electron-emissive cathode disposed within said chamber;
- means for impressing a potential between said anode and said cathode to effect electron emission at a sufficient velocity to ionize said propellant;
- means for accelerating ions out of said chamber;
- and means for establishing a magnetic field within said chamber to increase the efficiency of ionization of said propellant by said electrons;
- the improvement comprising:
- a plurality of successively-spaced segments of electrically conductive magnetic material distributed within said chamber;
- means for interconnecting said segments with said impressing means so that said segments collectively constitute said anode,
- and individually adjacent ones of said segments respectively being oppositely polarized magnetically with said segments collectively establishing said magnetic field.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.