Patent ID: 8508134

Claim:
A Hall-current ion source with electric potential impressed between a cathode and an anode in a discharge channel, where electrons move in an axial and radial magnetic field in said discharge channel developed by a working gas distributing system, a permanent magnet and an external flange serving as magnetic poles, where electrons move in partially closed drift electron trajectories; wherein electrons produced by an externally placed cathode collide with neutral particles and generate ions that are not influenced by said magnetic field and move axially to exit said ion source producing plasma flow comprising ions and electrons; the ion source comprising: a positively charged hollow cut cone anode positioned in said discharge channel; wherein said anode comprises multiple chambers for uniform working gas distribution; wherein said anode further comprises a lower part having a plurality of small holes which communicate between said discharge channel and one of said multiple chambers; wherein said anode includes an upper part, and wherein the distance between said upper part and said external flange is less than about 20 mm; a cathode located outside of said discharge channel for producing electrons for working gas ionization and neutralization of generated ions in said discharge channel; a working gas distributing system imbedded in said anode with an enhanced working gas distribution through said plurality of holes in said anode; a permanent magnet positioned below said anode; a reflector comprising an electrically conducting plate positioned on top of said permanent magnet and below said anode's lower part; said reflector being at a floating electrical potential; wherein introduction of said working gas through said holes in said anode confines the area of developed ions and electric potential application to said developed ions to produce a narrow ion beam energy distribution where E i is about (0.8-0.95) eV d ±20-25 eV.