Method for the production of atomic ion species from plasma ion sources

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1998

OSTI ID:871759

Spence, David ^[1]; Lykke, Keith ^[2]

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1. Hinsdale, IL
2. Woodridge, IL

A technique to enhance the yield of atomic ion species (H.sup.+, D.sup.+, O.sup.+, N.sup.+, etc.) from plasma ion sources. The technique involves the addition of catalyzing agents to the ion discharge. Effective catalysts include H.sub.2 O, D.sub.2 O, O.sub.2, and SF.sub.6, among others, with the most effective being water (H.sub.2 O) and deuterated water (D.sub.2 O). This technique has been developed at Argonne National Laboratory, where microwave generated plasmas have produced ion beams comprised of close to 100% purity protons (H.sup.+) and close to 100% purity deuterons (D.sup.+). The technique also increases the total yield of protons and deuterons by converting unwanted ion species, namely, H.sub.2.sup.+,H.sub.3.sup.+ and D.sub.2.sup.+, D.sub.3.sup.+, into the desired ion species, H.sup.+ and D.sup.+, respectively.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5789744
• OSTI ID: 871759
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
production
atomic
species
plasma
sources
technique
enhance
yield
etc
involves
addition
catalyzing
agents
discharge
effective
catalysts
sf
water
deuterated
developed
argonne
national
laboratory
microwave
generated
plasmas
produced
beams
comprised
close
100
purity
protons
deuterons
increases
total
converting
unwanted
namely
desired
respectively
technique involves
national laboratory
effective catalysts
wave generated
effective catalyst
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