Patent ID: 6172324
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: H05G,H05H

Abstract:
A high PRF radiation source at a selected wavelength including;a center electrode;an outer electrode substantially coaxial with said center electrode, a coaxial column being formed between said electrodes, which column has a closed base end and an open exit end;an inlet mechanism for introducing a selected gas into said column;a plasma initiator at the base end of said column;a solid state, high repetition rate pulsed driver operable on plasma initiation at the base of said column for delivering a high voltage pulse across said electrodes, the plasma expanding from the base end of the column and off the exit end thereof;the pulse voltage and electrode lengths being such that the current for each pulse is at substantially its maximum as the plasma exits the column; said inlet mechanism providing a substantially uniform gas fill in said column, resulting in the plasma being initially driven off the center electrode, the plasma being magnetically pinched as it exits the column, raising the temperature at the end of said center electrode sufficient to cause an ionizable element appearing at said end of said center electrode to produce radiation at said selected wavelength; anda component which redirects plasma driven off said center electrode back toward the center electrode, without substantially affecting passage of said radiation.