Patent ID: 6815633
Filing Date: 2004-11-09
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
An apparatus for dissociating gases, the apparatus comprising:a. a plasma chamber comprising a gas; b. a first transformer having a first magnetic core surrounding a first portion of the plasma chamber and having a first primary winding, and a second transformer having a second magnetic core surrounding a second portion of the plasma chamber and having a second primary winding; and c. a first solid state AC switching power supply comprising one or more switching semiconductor devices that are coupled to a first voltage supply and having a first output that is coupled to the first primary winding, and a second solid state AC switching power supply comprising one or more switching semiconductor devices that are coupled to a second voltage supply and having a second output that is coupled to the second primary winding, the first solid state AC switching power supply driving a first AC current in the first primary winding, and the second solid state AC switching power supply driving a second AC current in the second primary winding, the first AC current and the second AC current inducing a combined AC potential inside the plasma chamber that directly forms a toroidal plasma that completes a secondary circuit of the transformer and that dissociates the gas.