Combined radio frequency and hall effect ion source and plasma accelerator system
First Claim
1. A combined radio frequency (RF) and Hall Effect ion source and plasma accelerator system comprising:
- a plasma accelerator including an anode and a discharge zone, said plasma accelerator for providing plasma discharge;
a gas distributor for introducing a gas into the plasma accelerator;
a cathode for emitting electrons attracted to the anode and for neutralizing ion flux emitted from the plasma accelerator;
an electrical circuit coupled between the anode and the cathode having a DC power source for providing DC voltage;
a magnetic circuit structure including a magnetic field source for establishing a transverse magnetic field in said plasma accelerator that creates an impedance to the flow of the electrons toward said anode to enhance ionization of the gas to create plasma and which in combination with said electric circuit establishes an axial electric field in said plasma accelerator; and
an RF power source for providing RF power to at least one electrode disposed about and/or inside said plasma accelerator that induces current for ionizing the gas to create the plasma such that said axial electric field accelerates ions through said plasma accelerator to provide ion flux.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention features a combined radio frequency (RF) and Hall Effect ion source and plasma accelerator system including a plasma accelerator having an anode and a discharge zone, the plasma accelerator for providing plasma discharge. A gas distributor introduces a gas into the plasma accelerator. A cathode emits electrons attracted to the anode for ionizing the gas and neutralizing ion flux emitted from the plasma accelerator. An electrical circuit coupled between the anode and the cathode having a DC power source provides DC voltage. A magnetic circuit structure including a magnetic field source establishes a transverse magnetic field in the plasma accelerator that creates an impedance to the flow of the electrons toward the anode to enhance ionization of the gas to create plasma and which in combination with the electric circuit establishes an axial electric field in the plasma accelerator. An RF power source provides RF power to at least one electrode disposed about and/or inside the plasma accelerator that induces current for ionizing the gas to create the plasma such that the axial electric field accelerates ions through the plasma accelerator to provide ion flux.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A combined radio frequency (RF) and Hall Effect ion source and plasma accelerator system comprising:
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a plasma accelerator including an anode and a discharge zone, said plasma accelerator for providing plasma discharge;
a gas distributor for introducing a gas into the plasma accelerator;
a cathode for emitting electrons attracted to the anode and for neutralizing ion flux emitted from the plasma accelerator;
an electrical circuit coupled between the anode and the cathode having a DC power source for providing DC voltage;
a magnetic circuit structure including a magnetic field source for establishing a transverse magnetic field in said plasma accelerator that creates an impedance to the flow of the electrons toward said anode to enhance ionization of the gas to create plasma and which in combination with said electric circuit establishes an axial electric field in said plasma accelerator; and
an RF power source for providing RF power to at least one electrode disposed about and/or inside said plasma accelerator that induces current for ionizing the gas to create the plasma such that said axial electric field accelerates ions through said plasma accelerator to provide ion flux. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification