Patent ID: 6246059
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
An ion-beam source of the type having a closed-loop ion emitting slit and electrons drifting in a crossed electric field and first magnetic field, comprising:hollow housing means with at least one closed-loop ion-emitting slit;anode means in said hollow housing means in the form of at least two positively charged bodies arranged on opposite sides of said ion-emitting slit, said ion-emitting slit being located in the upstream position of the propagation of the ion beam with respect to said anode means;first cathode means for operation in conjunction with said anode means in order to generate said first magnetic field for generating and accelerating said ion beam;second cathode means for operation in conjunction with said anode means in order to generate a Penning discharge for a second magnetic field;magnetic field generation means for generating said first magnetic field and said second magnetic field; andworking medium supply means for supplying a working medium to a space between said anode means and said first cathode means.