The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 20, 1997
Filed:
May. 13, 1996
Derek J Day, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Reza Majidi-Ahy, Los Altos, CA (US);
Willi Fencl, Zurich, CH;
Heinrich Riem, Wettingen, CH;
Salvatore Provencale, Gebenstorf, CH;
Rolf Staehelin, Schlieren, CH;
Varian Associates, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides electrode assemblies for LIC imagers that maximize ion collection and the electric field for the minimum bias voltage. To achieve this optimization the ion collection is confined to small regions. Due to this limited ion collection region, high neutralization efficiencies and fast sweep-out times can be obtained. Furthermore, with an electrode separation of approximately 0.1 millimeters, pulse voltages of less than 100 volts can be used. Low voltages result in improved reliability, longer system life, and lower safety risks.