Patent ID: 9214313
Filing Date: 2015-12-15
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. An ion source comprising: an anode, having a hollow interior region extending axially therethrough along a longitudinal axis; a magnet producing a magnetic field generally axially aligned with said hollow interior region of said anode; a cathode disposed along one end of said longitudinal axis, said cathode biased electrically negatively with respect to said anode; and an anti-cathode haying a first aperture, disposed along and coaxially aligned with a second end of said longitudinal axis, opposite said cathode with respect to said anode, said anti-cathode being separately and independently biased electrically negatively with respect to said anode and said cathode; said anode, cathode and anticathode forming a. chamber, including said hollow interior region of said anode, for the creation and constraint by contact with a plasma formed of charged ion particles; an electrode having a second aperture, disposed along and coaxially aligned with said second end of said longitudinal axis exterior to said anti-cathode, said electrode being separately and independently biased electrically negatively with respect to said anode, said cathode and said anti-cathode; and said magnetic field and said bias of said cathode, anticathode and electrode, causing said charged ion particles to form a focused beam along said longitudinal axis which passes through said first and second apertures.