Device and method for extracting a constituent from a chemical mixture

A device for sputtering and ionizing a chemical mixture and separating ions of said chemical mixture according to their mass to charge ratio, said device comprising:

• a wall surrounding a volume and formed with an opening, wherein said chemical mixture is mounted on said wall for exposure to said volume;
• a central electrode positioned in said volume and distanced from said wall;
• a means for introducing a working gas into said volume;
• a means for generating a magnetic field in said volume;
• and
• a means for generating an electric field in said volume directed inwardly from said wall to said central electrode, said magnetic and electric fields being configured to cause a portion of said working gas to become fast neutrals that are directed towards the chemical mixture to sputter the chemical mixture into said volume for ionization into ions in said electric and magnetic fields, said electric and magnetic fields being configured to place ions having a mass to charge ratio less than a predetermined mass to charge ratio on trajectories for exit from said volume through said opening, and to place ions having a mass to charge ratio greater than said predetermined mass to charge ratio on trajectories into said central electrode for capture thereon.

A method for separating a chemical mixture into constituents, said method comprising:

• providing a wall that surrounds an elongated chamber, with said chemical mixture mounted on said wall for exposure to said chamber, said wall defining a longitudinal axis and having a first end and a second end, said first end formed with an opening;
• generating an axially oriented magnetic field in said chamber;
• generating a radially oriented electric field in said chamber;
• aligning a central electrode along said axis in said chamber;
• and
• introducing a working gas into said chamber for interaction with said magnetic and electric fields to sputter said chemical mixture, for subsequent ionization of said chemical mixture to ions in said chamber, said electric and magnetic fields configured to confine ions having a mass to charge ratio below a predetermined mass to charge ratio for exit from said chamber through said first end and to direct ions having a mass to charge ratio above said predetermined mass to charge ratio into said central electrode for capture thereon.