Patent ID: 6294781
Filing Date: 2001-09-25
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
A device for segregating high-mass particles in a multi-species plasma from lower-mass particles which comprises:a hollow enclosure surrounding a substantially annular shaped chamber, said enclosure defining a plane and a central axis substantially perpendicular thereto, said enclosure having a first wall and a second wall with said second wall being distanced from said first wall to establish said chamber therebetween, said chamber having a filter section wherein said first wall and said second wall are oriented substantially parallel to said central axis, said first wall in said filter section being at a first radial distance from said central axis and said second wall being at a second radial distance from said central axis with said first radial distance being greater than said second radial a distance;a means for generating a magnetic field in said chamber, said magnetic field being aligned between and substantially parallel to both said first wall and said second wall;a means for generating an electric field substantially perpendicular to said magnetic field to create crossed magnetic and electric fields in said chamber, said electric field having a positive potential on said second wall and a substantially zero potential on said first wall; anda source for injecting said multi-species plasma into said chamber for interaction with said crossed magnetic and electric fields to segregate said high-mass particles by ejecting said high-mass particles into contact with said first wall to collect said high mass particles thereon, and by preventing contact of said lower-mass particles with said first wall.