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US 5,780,862 AGranted
Method and apparatus for generating ions
OwnerHarold E. Siessinventor
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OwnerHarold E. Siessinventor
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A surface ion source apparatus (10) creates a high purity ion beam (44) of molecules of metal compounds having a lower ionization energy than the metal they contain. Low energy dispersion in the ion beam and currents on the order of one ampere are attainable over long duration operation. Rhenium screen (12) is used in the ion source and related catalyzer (31). Temperatures vary in the range of 700 to 2500 degrees centigrade and a preferred vacuum pressure of 10.sup.-5 torr, or lower, is used. Wear and corrosion resistance of a wide variety of materials is greatly enhanced through ion deposition and/or implantation with the disclosed apparatus and methods. This high output ion source is also useful for electronic propulsion, separation of isotopes and production of electricity by forcing ions through a transverse magnetic field, such as used with a magnetohydrodynamic generator.
Apparatus for generating ions, said apparatus comprising container means for containing material to be ionized, vaporizing means for vaporizing said material, a mixing chamber and a passageway connected thereto for transporting said vaporized material from said container and through said mixing chamber, means for introducing reactant means into said mixing chamber and said passageway for creating molecules having a high electron affinity, a surface ion source located downstream of said passageway for ionizing said molecules, and means for causing said ionized molecules to emerge from said surface ion source.
A method of forming ions, said method comprising the steps of:
A method of ion beam processing of materials, said method comprising the steps of:
A process for obtaining a high work function contact surface for the positive surface ionization of molecules, said process comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.