Patent ID: 7081621
Filing Date: 2006-07-25
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for the collection and focusing of gas-phase ions, charged particles, changed droplets, or combination 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 having a topside and an underside, said lens comprised of alternating layers of insulting and metal laminates with a metal laminate on said topside and said underside of said lens that are contiguous with said insulating laminate, said metal laminate on said topside of said lens is adjacent to said ion source, said metal laminates being supplied with attracting electric 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. a 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; e. a first means for supplying a gas supply in such a way into said ion source region, whereby substantially all said gas flows into said ion source; f. a second means for supplying a gas supplied in such a way into said deep-well region between said target surface and said funnel electrode, into said focusing region, or a combination thereof, whereby substantially all said gas flows into said focusing region; g. a third means for supplying a gas supplied in such a way to said laminated lens, whereby substantially all said gas flows into said plurality of openings, through openings in metal laminates on topside or bottom side of said lens, or a combination thereof, said gas flowing out into ion source and ion focusing regions; and h. a gas exhaust means for evacuating said gases in said focusing region and said ions source, whereby at least some of said gas flows into said gas exhaust; whereby, substantially all said gas-phase ions, charged particles, charged dropets, or combination thereof are transferred through said lens and onto or at said target surface.