Positioning and motion control by electrons, ions, and neutrals in electric fields

A negative ion linear and angular motion control, micro-device comprising

• a) a first cathodic electrode producing negative ions by electron attachment to impinging atoms;
• b) a second transparent grid electrode;
• c) voltage means to provide potential Vg at said second electrode which establishes an electric field between the first and second electrodes;
• d) said electric field producing a stream of negative ions into a low density electronegative gas in the electric field space between said first and second electrodes;
• e) a portion of said stream of negative ions passing through said transparent grid electrode, thereby producing a positioning and motion control force on a moveable portion of said device,
• f) an ultimate collector electrode not physically attached to a moveable portion of said device
• g) said ultimate collector electrode at voltage V≧Vg for detaching and collecting the electrons from said stream of negative ions;
• and
• h) the size of said micro-device ranging from nanometers to decimeters,
• i) where the device comprises a moveable portion and a stationary housing portion;
• the moveable portion comprising at least the first cathodic element and the second transparent grid electrode;
• the stationary housing portion comprising at least the ultimate collector electrode and at least partially enclosing the moveable portion.

A positive ion, linear and angular motion control, micro-device comprising

• a) a first anodic electrode containing at least one whisker;
• b) a second transparent grid electrode at voltage Vg, which establishes an electric field between the first and second electrodes;
• c) said electric fleid produces a stream of positive ions into the vacuum electric field space between said first and second electrodes;
• d) a portion of said stream of positive ions passing through said transparent grid electrode, thereby producing a positioning and motion control force on a moveable portion of said device,
• e) an ultimate collector electrode not physically attached to a movable portion of said device
• f) said ultimate cathodic collector electrode at voltage |V|≧|Vg| for neutralizing said stream of positive ions by electron donation;
• and
• g) the size of said micro-device ranging from nanometers to decimeters,
• h) where the device comprises a moveable portion and a stationary housing portion;
• the moveable portion comprising at least the first cathodic element and the second transparent grid electrode;
• the stationary housing portion comprising at least the ultimate collector electrode and at least partially enclosing the moveable portion.

A method for producing a motive force in a micro-device comprising the steps of:

• a) introducing a first cathodic electrode containing at least one, field emission whisker;
• b) introducing a second transparent grid electrode;
• c) applying a voltage Vg at second electrode thereby establishing an electric field between the first and second electrodes;
• d) said electric field producing a stream of negative particles into the electric field space between said first and second electrodes;
• e) a portion of said stream of field emitted electrons passing through said transparent grid electrode, thereby producing a positioning and motion control force on a moveable portion of said device,
• f) an ultimate collector electrode not physically attached to a moveable portion of said device
• g) collecting said stream of negative particles at said ultimate collector electrode which is at voltage V ≧Vg,
• h) the size of said micro-device ranging from nanometers to decimeters,
• i) where the device comprises a moveable portion and a stationary housing portion;
• the moveable portion comprising at least the first cathodic element and the second transparent grid electrode;
• the stationary housing portion comprising at least the ultimate collector electrode and at least partially enclosing the moveable portion.

A negative particle, linear and angular motion control micro-device comprising

• a) a first cathodic electrode containing at least one, electron field emission whisker;
• b) a second transparent grid electrode;
• c) voltage means to provide potential Vg at said second electrode which establishes an electric field between the first and second electrodes;
• d) said electric field produces a stream of negative particles into the electric field space between said first and second electrodes;
• e) a portion of said stream of field emitted electrons passing through said transparent grid electrode, thereby producing a positioning and motion control force on a moveable portion of said device,
• f) an ultimate collector electrode not physically attached to a moveable portion of said device
• g) said ultimate collector electrode at voltage V≧Vb for collecting said stream of negative particles;
• and
• h) the size of said micro-device ranging from nanometers to decimeters,
• i) where the device comprises a moveable portion and a stationary housing portion;
• the moveable portion comprising at least the first cathodic element and the second transparent grid electrode;
• the stationary housing portion comprising at least the ultimate collector electrode and at least partially enclosing the moveable portion.