Patent ID: 9390892
Filing Date: 2016-07-12
CPC Classification: H01J

Claim Text:
1. A laser sustained plasma light source, comprising: a laser operable to generate an amount of illumination light; and a plasma bulb having at least one wall operable in part to contain a working gas, wherein the illumination light generated by the laser is incident on the working gas and generates a laser sustained plasma emission; a first electrode configured to emit a plurality of charged particles into the working gas of the plasma bulb; and a second electrode configured to attract a portion of the plurality of charged particles and generate a flow of charged particles from the first electrode toward the second electrode, wherein the flow of charged particles generates a flow of the working gas through the laser sustained plasma; a voltage source coupled to at least one electrode of the laser sustained plasma source, wherein the voltage source generates a voltage difference between at least two electrodes of the laser sustained plasma source; a controller coupled to the voltage source, wherein the controller is operable to control the voltage difference between the at least two electrodes of the laser sustained plasma source such that the flow of the working pas through the laser sustained plasma is controlled.