US4088919A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ion source including a pointed solid electrode and reservoir of liquid material
Assignee: Ricardo AEA Ltd
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Filing: 1977-04-12
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Granted: 1978-05-09
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Expires: 1997-04-12
Abstract
Abstract An ion source comprising an electrode consisting of at least one body made of a material such as to be perfectly wetted by a liquid material ions of which are to be emitted by the source and not corrodible by that material, and having a termination the radius of curvature of which is such that a jet of the liquid material will form and be anchored to the termination of the electrode under the influence of an electric field, means for applying the ionizing electric field and a reservoir for the material ions of which are to be emitted by the source.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy Clampitt
- 👤 Derek K. Jefferies
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 00:41
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J27/00; H01J27/02; H01J27/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
An ion source comprising a solid electrode made of a material such as to be perfectly wetted by a liquid material ions of which are to be emitted by the source and not corrodible by that material, and having a termination the radius of curvature of which is such that a jet of liquid material will form and be anchored to the termination of the electrode under the influence of an electric field, means for controlling the rate of transport of the liquid material over the surface of the electrode so that ions of the material are produced at the tip of the jet of liquid material under the action of the electric field, means for generating the ionizing electric field and a reservoir for the material ions of which are to be emitted by the source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
An ion source comprising a solid electrode made of a material such as to be perfectly wetted by a liquid material ions of which are to be emitted by the source and not corrodible by that material, and having a termination the radius of curvature of which is such that a jet of liquid material will form and be anchored to the termination of the electrode under the influence of an electric field, means for controlling the rate of transport of the liquid material over the surface of the electrode so that ions of the material are produced at the tip of the jet of liquid material under the action of the electric field, means for generating the ionizing electric field and a reservoir for the material ions of which are to be emitted by the source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An ion source according to claim 1 wherein there is provided means for maintaining in the liquid state the material ions of which are to be emitted by the source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ion source according to claim 1 wherein the electrode is made of a refractory metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
An ion source according to claim 1 wherein at least that part of the surface of the electrode which is in contact with the liquid material ions of which are to be emitted by the source is made of a vitreous material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An ion source according to claim 1 wherein at least that part of the surface of the electrode which is in contact with the material to be ionized is made of ceramic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An ion source according to claim 1 in conjunction with at least one other electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ion source according to claim 1 wherein the radius of curvature of the termination of the electrode is between 1 and 10 μm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
An ion source according to claim 7 wherein the electrode is a single pointed body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
An ion source according to claim 7 wherein the electrode is a sheet of material an edge of which is sharpened to provide the said termination.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ion source according to claim 7 wherein the electrode comprises an array of pointed bodies.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
85 words
An ion source according to claim 1 wherein the means for controlling the rate of transport of the liquid over the surface of the electrode comprises a sheath surrounding the electrode but spaced apart from it, the termination of the electrode projecting from the sheath, by an amount such that, in combination with the gap between the sheath and the electrode, the meniscus formed at the surface of the liquid maintains the required rate of transport of the fluid over the surface of the electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ion source according to claim 11 wherein the electrode protrudes from the sheath by a distance of 0.1 to 0.2 cm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
138 words
A single point ion source comprising a solid pointed electrode made of a material such as to be perfectly wetted by a liquid material ions of which are to be emitted by the source and not corrodible by that material and having an apex with a radius of curvature such that only a single jet of liquid material ions of which are to be emitted by the source will form and be anchored to the apex of the electrode under the influence of an ionizing electric field, means for controlling the rate of transport of the liquid material over the surface of the electrode so that ions of the material are produced at the tip of the jet of liquid material, means for applying the ionizing electric field and a reservoir for the liquid material to be ionized.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
138 words
A single point ion source comprising a solid pointed electrode made of a material such as to be perfectly wetted by a liquid material ions of which are to be emitted by the source and not corrodible by that material and having an apex with a radius of curvature such that only a single jet of liquid material ions of which are to be emitted by the source will form and be anchored to the apex of the electrode under the influence of an ionizing electric field, means for controlling the rate of transport of the liquid material over the surface of the electrode so that ions of the material are produced at the tip of the jet of liquid material, means for applying the ionizing electric field and a reservoir for the liquid material to be ionized.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-05-08 | 1981-11-07 | 1982-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-08 | 1985-11-07 | 1986-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-08 | 1989-11-07 | 1990-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |