Ion Tech Limited

Paul D Reader

Harold R Kaufman

An electron-bombardment ion source has a chamber into which an ionizable propellant is introduced. Electrons flowing from a cathode to an anode serve to ionize the propellant. The resulting ions are accelerated out of the chamber. To increase the efficiency of ionization of the propellant by the electrons, a magnetic field is established within the chamber. To that end, there are a plurality of successively-spaced segments of electrically-conductive magnetic material. The segments are interconnected so as, collectively, to serve as the anode. Individually adjacent ones of the segments are respectively polarized as magnetic opposites, the segments together serving to establish the magnetic field.

Electron-bombardment ion source including segmented anode of

An electron-bombardment ion source includes a chamber into which a propellant is introduced. The propellant is ionized by means of electrons drawn toward an anode from a cathode. At one end of the chamber is an apertured screen followed by an aligned apertured grid. The grid is maintained at a potential that accelerates the ions out of the chamber through the screen and the grid and past a space-charge-neutralizing cathode. A resistor is connected between the grid and the neutralizing cathode in order to maintain the latter at a positive potential relative to the potential on the grid. A system ground preferably is connected to the junction between the resistor and the neutralizing cathode but, alternatively, may be connected between the grid and the resistor.

Electron-bombardment ion sources

An ion source includes apparatus that defines a region in which a supply of ions are produced. An apertured grid is disposed at one end of the region. A potential difference is impressed between the grid and the region so as to accelerate ions out of the region through the grid as a plurality of beamlets, the grid serving to focus those beamlets. To cyclically vary the degree of focus of the beamlets, the system as embodied further includes an arrangement for alternating a potential on the grid relative to a potential elsewhere in the ion source and to which the ions are subjected.

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Fort Collins, CO, United States of America

Paul D Reader