Microwave ion source

Abstract

A microwave ion source suitable for an apparatus which requires ions of an element of high reactivity such as oxygen, fluorine, etc., the microwave ion source being arranged to transmit microwaves between outer and inner conductors of a coaxial line. An ion extraction electrode is formed at least partly of a low magnetic permeability material while an acceleration electrode is formed of a high magnetic permeability material. The acceleration electrode is formed so as to have a structure in which a low magnetic permeability material of a certain thickness is stacked on the high magnetic permeability material at a plasma chamber side and openings of ion exit holes are formed in the portion of the low magnetic permeability material. A permanent magnet constituting a magnetic field generating means is provided to surround the microwave lead-in coaxial line. The direction of magnetization of the permanent magnet is made to coincide with the axial direction of the coaxial line. The end surface of the permanent magnet at the microwave lead-in side is coupled with the periphery of the high magnetic permeability material of the acceleration electrode through another high magnetic permeability material to form a magnetic path. The plasma chamber is formed of a dielectric insulator which transmits microwaves well. It is possible to realize an ion source in which ions can be extracted with a high electric field, and in which a high current ion beam can be extracted for a long time.