Method and apparatus for charged particle propagation

Patent · Tue Nov 26 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:403663

Hershcovitch, A

A method and apparatus are provided for propagating charged particles from a vacuum to a higher pressure region. A generator includes an evacuated chamber having a gun for discharging a beam of charged particles such as an electron beam or ion beam. The beam is discharged through a beam exit in the chamber into a higher pressure region. A plasma interface is disposed at the beam exit and includes a plasma channel for bounding a plasma maintainable between a cathode and an anode disposed at opposite ends thereof. The plasma channel is coaxially aligned with the beam exit for propagating the beam from the chamber, through the plasma, and into the higher pressure region. The plasma is effective for pumping down the beam exit for preventing pressure increase in the chamber and provides magnetic focusing of the beam discharged into the higher pressure region 24. 7 figs.

• Research Organization: Associated Universities Inc
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• Assignee: Associated Universities, Inc., Washington, DC (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5,578,831/A/
• Application Number: PAN: 8-409,148
• OSTI ID: 403663
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
BEAM OPTICS
BEAM TRANSPORT
BEAM-PLASMA SYSTEMS
DESIGN
ELECTRON BEAMS
ION BEAMS
VACUUM SYSTEMS