US4629931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid metal ion source
Assignee: The AT&T MVPD Group LLC
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Filing: 1984-11-20
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Granted: 1986-12-16
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Expires: 2004-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A liquid metal ion source alloy for high vapor pressure metalloids, wherein the alloy composition is chosen to have a low melting point so that the vapor pressure of the volatile constituents is low, even in the liquid state. Specifically, the ion source alloy is an alloy selected from the group of (Pb 0 .7-1.0 Au 0 .3-0) 0 .7-0.99 (As+Sb) 0 .3-0.01 and Pb 0 .20-0.30 Au 0 .45-0.55 (As+Sb) 0 .20-0.30. The melting points of these alloys are about 200° C.-300° C., and the alloys may be maintained molten in contact with the emission elements for long periods of time without significant loss of the volatile species or reactivity with typical substrate materials used for emission elements.
Inventors
- 👤 William M. Clark, Jr.
- 👤 Charles M. McKenna
- 👤 William L. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 05:34
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J37/00; H01J37/02; H01J37/04; H01J37/08; H01J27/00; H01J27/02; H01J27/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A liquid metal ion source, comprising: emission means for emitting positively charged ions of a species; and source means for supplying the species to be emitted to said emission means, said species being contained in an alloy selected from the group consisting of (Pb 0 .7-1.0 Au 0 .3-0) 0 .7-0.99 (As+Sb) 0 .3-0.01 and Pb 0 .20-0.30 Au 0 .45-0.55 (As+Sb) 0 .20-0.30.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
A liquid metal ion source, comprising: emission means for emitting positively charged ions of a species; and source means for supplying the species to be emitted to said emission means, said species being contained in an alloy selected from the group consisting of (Pb 0 .7-1.0 Au 0 .3-0) 0 .7-0.99 (As+Sb) 0 .3-0.01 and Pb 0 .20-0.30 Au 0 .45-0.55 (As+Sb) 0 .20-0.30.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
This ion source of claim 1, wherein the alloy composition is about Pb 0 .21 Au 0 .51 Sb 0 .28.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
This ion source of claim 1, wherein the alloy composition is about Au 0 .45 Pb 0 .30 As 0 .25.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ion source of claim 1, wherein said emission means includes a needle and a source metal reservoir.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-12-15 | 1990-06-16 | 1990-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-15 | 1994-06-16 | 1994-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-15 | 1998-06-16 | 1998-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |