Patent ID: 6635890
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: H01J,H05H

Abstract:
An ion buncher for grouping ions along a path between an entrance end and an accelerating module in an ion accelerator system, the buncher comprising:a first grounded electrode with an elongated slit aperture, forming an entrance aperture for an ion beam with an elongated slit shaped transverse profile; a second grounded electrode, with either a slit aperture or circular aperture, located along the ion beam path toward the accelerating module; and an energizable electrode with an elongated slit aperture located between the first and second grounded electrodes and defining gaps therebetween, and operatively associated with an energy source and adapted to create a modulating electric field in the gaps between the energizable electrode and the first and second grounded electrodes, respectively, to provide bunched ions to the accelerating module.