Molecular scanner

Claim 2

Apparatus for forming a visible image representing the spatial distribution of neutral molecular emission from a sample comprising: a. means for maintaining the sample in a vacuum: b. means for emitting only low energy neutral surface molecules from specific locations among all the molecules of the sample surface; c. means for selecting these emitted molecules to provide a magnified molecular spatial distribution representing the locations of each molecular emission from the sample; d. means for detecting the spatially distributed molecules from a limited region of the sample to provide a spatial distribution of ions of these molecules; and e. means for selectively changing the limited region of the sample which is detected.

Claim 3

Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for emitting neutral molecules from the sample comprises: a. a crucible which holds the sample; and b. water-cooled electrodes capable of carrying heating current connected to the crucible to heat the sample to a temperature sufficient to evaporate only some of the molecules from the sample.

Claim 4

Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the selecting means comprises a septum having a first aperture the size of a pinhole located between the sample and the detecting means to allow emitted molecules to pass through the aperture.

Claim 5

Apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the detecting means comprises a surface ionizing detector.

Claim 6

Apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the surface ionizing detector comprises; a. a wire having a sharp, V-shaped point heated to an electron current so as to ionize molecules striking the point; b. a collector electrode having a second aperture located between the septum and the wire, the collector electrode allowing molecules that pass through the first aperture and the second aperture to strike the point, resulting in an ion current flowing in the collector electrode which is proportional to the number of neutral molecules per second striking the point; and c. means for moving the collector electrode and wire in fixed relation to one another and in parallel with the septum so that the detector scans the molecules that pass through the first aperture, said last named means serving as said means for selectively changing the limited region of the sample which is detected.

Claim 7

Apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the moving means comprises: a. a bellows; b. an insulator rigidly connected between the collector electrode and wire; and c. a control wire connected between the bellows and the insulator causing the wire and electrode to move in fixed relation to one another and in parallel with the septum when the bellows is expanded or contracted by a varying pressure.

Claim 8

Apparatus as recited in claim 5, including an electrometer connected to the electrode to amplify the ion current thereby providing a recording that represents the spatial distribution of molecular emission from the sample.

Claim 9

Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the detecting means and the means for selectively changing the limited region of the sample which is detected include: a. a plate located along the path of the selected molecules so that molecules deposit on the plate; b. a coolant in thermal contact with the plate to maintain the plate at a temperature sufficient to cause the molecules to remain where deposited; and c. an electron gun having deflection plates so as to direct a scanning electron beam on the deposited molecules causing the molecules to desorb and ionize.

Claim 10

Apparatus as recited in claim 8 including: a. a fluorescent screen; and b. ion lenses located between said plate and the fluorescent screen so as to focus the ions on the screen thereby forming a visible image of the selected molecules.

Claim 13

The method of claim 10 wherein said selecting of molecules from different regions of the surface is accomplished by causing relative movement between the detecting means and the sample.

Claim 14

The method of claim 10 wherein said selecting of molecules from different regions of the surface is accomplished by causing relative movement between the detecting means and a pin hole means, said pin hole means performing the function of selection of molecules which originate over only a small region of the surface.

Claim 17

The device of claim 13 including a plate aligned with said beAm to produce a deposit of molecules from said pinhole thereupon and means to produce said scanning motion of said detector relative to said plate.

Claim 18

The device of claim 14 wherein said detector comprises an ionizing beam device directed to scan said plate and an ion detector for ions desorbed from said plate.

Claim 19

The device of claim 13 wherein said electrical detector is aligned to receive said molecules directly from said pinhole.

Claim 22

The method of claim 17 including maintaining said sample under temperature and pressure conditions at which certain molecules at said surface evaporate and certain different molecules at said surface do not, said method producing information about said first mentioned molecules.

Claim 23

Apparatus for analyzing an inhomogeneous sample, capable of producing information concerning constituents at the surface of the sample in cases where the forces and interactions are of strength characterized by temperatures in the range of 100*K to 500*K comprising means to release surface molecules bound with energy up to a certain level and not to release surface molecules bound with a certain higher level, and an electrical detector adapted to respond effectively to said released molecules, the apparatus including a scanning system whereby, effectively, said molecules are detected from point to point thereby to progressively produce an electrical representation of the spatial distribution of said certain surface molecules of the sample.

Claim 24

Apparatus for analyzing an inhomogeneous sample, capable of producing information concerning constituents at the surface of the sample in cases where the forces and interactions are of strength characterized by temperatures in the range of 100*K to 500*K comprising means to release surface molecules bound with energy up to a certain level and not to release surface molecules bound with a certain higher level, and an electrical detector adapted to respond effectively to said released molecules, the apparatus including a scanning system whereby, effectively, said molecules are detected from point to point thereby to progressively produce an electrical representation of the spatial distribution of said certain surface molecules of the sample.