Patent ID: 6723248
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: B03C,H01J

Abstract:
A high throughput plasma mass filter which comprises:a substantially cylindrical shaped plasma chamber defining a longitudinal axis and having a wall at a radial distance â€œaâ€  from said axis; a means for generating crossed electric and magnetic fields (EÃ—B) in said chamber, with said magnetic field being oriented substantially parallel to said axis; a means for introducing into said chamber a multi-species plasma having an initial plasma density (n), said multi-species plasma including ions having a relatively high mass to charge ratio (M1) and ions having a relatively low mass to charge ratio (M2), and wherein the initial density of said multi-species plasma is greater than a collisional density (n>nc); and a means for varying said crossed electric and magnetic fields (EÃ—B) in said chamber to establish a predetermined logarithm separating factor, F, for the initial plasma density (n).