Patent ID: 8089052
Filing Date: 2012-01-03
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. An ion source for use in creating a stream of ions having a selectively optimized ion extraction current density depending on selection of a monomer or molecular source ionization material, comprising: an ion source chamber for receiving either monomer or molecular source ionization material, said ion source chamber at least partially bounding an ionization region for creating a high density concentration of ions from the monomer or molecular source ionization material within the ion source chamber; a wall for partially enclosing the ionization region of said ion source chamber and providing an ion extraction aperture that permits migration of ions from said ion source chamber having a controlled ion extraction current density, wherein the size and shape of the ion extraction aperture can be controlled as a function of the source ionization material; and a drive for moving the wall into operative position with respect to the ion source chamber to allow ions within the ion source chamber to exit through the ion extraction aperture with a selected ion extraction current density, said drive providing the ion extraction aperture with a desired size and shape as a function of the selected monomer or molecular source ionization material.