Patent ID: 7608843

Claim:
A method for scanning a workpiece through an ion beam path, comprising the steps of: mounting a workpiece within an ion beam path at one end of an elongated member; partially, repetitively rotating the elongated member around a point of rotation on the elongated member and away from the workpiece using an electric motor with the elongated member mounted thereto to make repetitive scans of the workpiece through the ion beam path along an arcuate path defining an imaginary plane; maintaining a partial vacuum within an enclosure located around the elongated member and the electric motor; bending the elongated member at a joint located between the one end and the point of rotation to move the one end out of the imaginary plane of the arcuate path to facilitate attachment and removal of individual workpieces at the one end, and moving the elongated member upwardly or downwardly to cause different portions of the workpiece to pass through the ion beam path during the repetitive scans, wherein the step of moving the elongated member includes suspending the electric motor and elongated member against gravity and thereby raising and lowering the electric motor and elongated member.