Patent ID: 9018829
Filing Date: 2015-04-28
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. An ion source comprising: an ion source chamber housing defining an ion source chamber, the ion source chamber housing having a side with a plurality of apertures; and an antechamber housing defining an antechamber, the antechamber housing sharing the side with the plurality of apertures with the ion source chamber housing, the antechamber housing having an opening to receive a gas from a gas source, wherein the antechamber is configured to transform the gas into an altered state comprising excited neutrals that is provided through the plurality of apertures into the ion source chamber, wherein the ion source chamber comprises a first indirectly heated cathode disposed on one end of the ion source chamber housing, configured to emit electrons into the ion source chamber to interact with the gas in the altered state to generate plasma in the ion source chamber.