Patent ID: 7838842
Filing Date: 2010-11-23
Classification: C23C,H01J,H01L

Abstract:
1. A universal ion source comprising: an ionization volume for receiving a gas or vapor and formed with an ion extraction aperture which enables an ion beam to be extracted from said ionization volume; a first electron source for emitting electrons in said ionization volume forming a plasma in order to ionize said gas or vapor in said ionization volume by arc discharge in a first mode of operation; a second electron source for emitting electrons in said ionization volume and ionizing said gas or vapor in said ionization volume by direct electron impact in a second mode of operation; a source of gas or vapor and wherein said source of gas or vapor includes a first vaporizer for receiving a solid material and generating a first vapor, wherein said first vaporizer is in fluid communication with said ionization volume in the first mode of operation, wherein said first vaporizer operates in the range of about 400° C. to about 550° C. and a control system for switching between said first mode of operation and said second mode of operation.