US3217162A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for producing a spectroscopic emission spectrum of a material
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1961-04-14
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Granted: 1965-11-09
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Expires: 1981-04-14
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Gottfried K Wehner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J37/00; H01J37/32; H01J37/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A DEVICE FOR PRODUCING AN EMISSION SPECTRUM OF A TARGET MATERIAL, WHICH COMPRISES, A LOW PRESSURE HIGH DENSITY PLASMA DISCHARGE MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF ELECTRODES FOR CONTROLLING SAID PLASMA DISCHARGE, A TARGET MATERIAL SUPPORTED ADJACENT TO AT LEAST A PAIR OF SAID ELECTRODES AND ADAPTED TO BE BOMBARDED BY SAID PLASMA DISCHARGE FOR SPUTTERING OFF ATOMS OF SAID MATERIAL, AND MAGNETIC MEANS TO CONCENTRATING AND ACCELERATING ELECTRONS OF SAID PLASMA WHICH ELECTRONS EXCITE THE SPUTTERED ATOMS FROM A STABLE LOWER ENERGY LEVEL TO AN UNSTABLE HIGHER ENERGY LEVEL, SO THAT WHEN SAID SPUTTERED ATOMS LOSE ENERGY AND RETURN TO SAID STABLE LOWER ENERGY LEVEL SAID EMISSION SPECTRUM IS PRODUCED.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
A DEVICE FOR PRODUCING AN EMISSION SPECTRUM OF A TARGET MATERIAL, WHICH COMPRISES, A LOW PRESSURE HIGH DENSITY PLASMA DISCHARGE MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF ELECTRODES FOR CONTROLLING SAID PLASMA DISCHARGE, A TARGET MATERIAL SUPPORTED ADJACENT TO AT LEAST A PAIR OF SAID ELECTRODES AND ADAPTED TO BE BOMBARDED BY SAID PLASMA DISCHARGE FOR SPUTTERING OFF ATOMS OF SAID MATERIAL, AND MAGNETIC MEANS TO CONCENTRATING AND ACCELERATING ELECTRONS OF SAID PLASMA WHICH ELECTRONS EXCITE THE SPUTTERED ATOMS FROM A STABLE LOWER ENERGY LEVEL TO AN UNSTABLE HIGHER ENERGY LEVEL, SO THAT WHEN SAID SPUTTERED ATOMS LOSE ENERGY AND RETURN TO SAID STABLE LOWER ENERGY LEVEL SAID EMISSION SPECTRUM IS PRODUCED.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
81 words
A METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN EMISSION SPECTRUM OF A MATERIAL WHICH COMPRISES IMMERSING SAID MATERAIL IN A GAS DISCHARGE PLASMA OF HIGH DENSITY ESTABLISHED IN A CHAMBER, SUBJECTING SAID MATERAIL TO SELECTIVE AND ACCELERATED IONIC BOMBARDMENT SO THAT ATOMS OF SAID MATERIAL ARE SPUTTERED AWAY FROM SAID MATERIAL, EXCITING SAID SPUTTERED ATOMS TO HIGHER UNSTABLE ENERGY LEVELS, AND OBTAINING AN EMISSION SPECTRUM OF SAID MATERIAL WHEN THE SAID EXCITED SPUTTERED ATOMS LOSE ENERGY AND RETURN TO MORE STABLE LOWER ENERGY LEVELS.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
81 words
A METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN EMISSION SPECTRUM OF A MATERIAL WHICH COMPRISES IMMERSING SAID MATERAIL IN A GAS DISCHARGE PLASMA OF HIGH DENSITY ESTABLISHED IN A CHAMBER, SUBJECTING SAID MATERAIL TO SELECTIVE AND ACCELERATED IONIC BOMBARDMENT SO THAT ATOMS OF SAID MATERIAL ARE SPUTTERED AWAY FROM SAID MATERIAL, EXCITING SAID SPUTTERED ATOMS TO HIGHER UNSTABLE ENERGY LEVELS, AND OBTAINING AN EMISSION SPECTRUM OF SAID MATERIAL WHEN THE SAID EXCITED SPUTTERED ATOMS LOSE ENERGY AND RETURN TO MORE STABLE LOWER ENERGY LEVELS.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2258149A
Cited
US2271666A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1968-11-08 | 1969-05-10 | 1969-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1972-11-08 | 1973-05-10 | 1973-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1976-11-08 | 1977-05-10 | 1977-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |