Patent ID: 6422825
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: F04B,H01J,H05H

Abstract:
A plasma pumping cell for pumping ions from a first region containing a plasma to a second region when said plasma pumping cell is interposed between the first region and the second region, said plasma pumping cell comprising:a partition member positionable between the first region and the second region, said partition member having a through opening defining a conduit, said partition member also having top and bottom walls which face the second region and first region, respectively, when said pumping cell is interposed between the first region and the second region, said through opening having a conduit wall which delimits said conduit and extends between said top and bottom wall; a plurality of magnets positioned relative to said conduit in a manner to provide lines of magnetic force that extend through and generally parallel to said conduit, said plurality of magnets being permanent magnets which are spaced apart around said conduit and are oriented to have alternating magnetic polarities around said conduit; a source of free electrons in communication with said conduit; and an electric potential source disposed relative to said conduit to create an electrostatic field which accelerates ions from said conduit to the second region.