Patent ID: 6805779
Filing Date: 2004-10-19
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
A plasma generator that generates a plasma with a multi-step ionization process, the plasma generator comprising:a feed gas source comprising ground state atoms; an excited atom source that receives ground state atoms from the feed gas source, the excited atom source comprising a magnet that generates a magnetic field for substantially trapping electrons proximate to the ground state atoms, the excited atom source generating excited atoms from the ground state atoms; a plasma chamber that is coupled to the excited atom source, the plasma chamber confining a volume of excited atoms generated by the excited atom source; and an energy source that is coupled to the volume of excited atoms confined by the plasma chamber, the energy source raising an energy of excited atoms in the volume of excited atoms so that at least a portion of the excited atoms in the volume of excited atoms is ionized, thereby generating a plasma with a multi-step ionization process.