Patent ID: 6773558
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: C01B,H01J

Abstract:
A fluorine generator which comprises:a chamber having a first end and a second end and defining an axis, said chamber being filled with a working gas; a dielectric window enclosing said first end of said chamber; a potassium fluoride (KF) source positioned in said chamber adjacent said window; an r-f (radio frequency) antenna for heating the working gas, to sublime the KF source, and create a plasma of potassium ions, fluorine ions, fluorine atoms and working gas ions in said chamber, said r-f antenna being positioned outside said chamber with said window between said KF source and said r-f antenna; a collector positioned in said chamber between said first end and said second end at a distance â€œaâ€  from the axis; a means for generating a radially oriented electric field (Er) in said chamber; a means for generating an axially oriented magnetic field (B) in said chamber to establish crossed electric and magnetic fields (ErÃ—B); and a means for controlling (ErÃ—B) to drive potassium ions on unconfined orbits in said chamber to said collector for collection thereon, and to place fluorine ions and working gas ions on confined orbits around the axis inside said chamber for evacuation from said chamber through said second end thereof for collection of fluorine.