Patent ID: 6818889
Filing Date: 2004-11-16
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
Apparatus for the collection and focusing of gas-phase ions or particles or droplets or combinations thereof, at or near atmospheric pressure, the apparatus comprising:a. a dispersive source of ions; b. a lens populated with a plurality of openings through which said ions pass unobstructed into a focusing region, said lens consisting of an insulating body of material, said insulating body having a topside and an underside, said insulating body has a layer of metal laminated on said topside and said underside that are contiguous with said insulating body, said metal laminate on said topside of said insulating body is adjacent to said ion source, said metal laminates being supplied with attracting electrostatic direct current potentials by connection to a voltage supply, and generating an electrostatic field between said source of ions and said metal laminates; c. a target surface, downstream of said lens for receiving said ions, said target surface held at a higher strength electrostatic direct current potential by connection to said voltage supply, and generating an electrostatic field between said metal laminates of said lens and said target surface, which has field lines that are concentrated on a relatively small cross-sectional area of said target surface; d. an funnel lens or electrode sandwiched between said lens and said target surface for focusing said ions exiting into said focusing region through said openings in said lens into a deep-well region interposed between said funnel lens and said target, said funnel lens held at an electrostatic direct current potential, whereby electrostatic field lines are focused through a central opening in said funnel electrode and towards a small cross-sectional area on said target surface, thereby focusing approximately all said ions onto said small cross-sectional area.