Patent ID: 9177777
Filing Date: 2015-11-03
Classification: H01J,H05H

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: directing an ion beam in a first direction within a region between a first electrically-conductive plate extending in a first plane and a second plate extending in a second plane parallel to the first plane, the second plate comprising a grid that defines a plurality of apertures each having a first dimension extending in the first direction and a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension, the first and second dimensions lying in the second plane and the second dimension being larger than the first dimension; receiving an ion beam propagating in the first direction in the region between the first and second plates while a first electric field between the first and second plates is essentially zero; and applying a first voltage on the first electrically-conductive plate to produce a second electric field between the first and second plates to accelerate at least a portion of ions in the ion beam in the region through the apertures of the second plate such that an electric field strength in the region between the first and second plates is essentially identical to an electric field strength in a region on an opposite side of the second plate, away from the first plate.