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US4940893A
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Method and apparatus for forming coherent clusters
Assignee: Apricot SA
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Filing: 1988-03-18
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Granted: 1990-07-10
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Expires: 2008-03-18
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for forming coherent clusters. By cluster is meant an assembly of one or more atoms or molecules assembled together. The clusters are rendered coherent by a process of induced scattering.
Inventors
- 👤 Shui-Yin Lo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:24
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05H; H05H3/00; H05H3/02; G; G21; G21K; G21K1/00; H01; H01J; H01J27/00; H01J27/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for forming coherent clusters by expansion comprising: generating clusters and causing at least some of the clusters to become coherent by manipulating temperature and pressure conditions; exposing said clusters prior to about the time of creation of said clusters by expansion, to particles which cause said clusters to become charged, said exposing being done in a manner that does not destroy said clusters nor the coherence of said clusters.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for forming coherent clusters by expansion comprising: generating clusters and causing at least some of the clusters to become coherent by manipulating temperature and pressure conditions; exposing said clusters prior to about the time of creation of said clusters by expansion, to particles which cause said clusters to become charged, said exposing being done in a manner that does not destroy said clusters nor the coherence of said clusters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method claimed in claim 1 wherein said particles are electrons.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method claimed in claim 2 wherein the clusters are of helium ions generated by a process including the expansion of helium gas through a nozzle into a vacuum chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method claimed in claim 2 wherein the clusters are of helium ions generated by a process including the expansion of helium gas through a nozzle into a vacuum chamber, and the coherent clusters are directed in a beam by at least one accelerating potential from the vacuum chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method claimed in claim 2 wherein the clusters are of helium ions generated by a process including the expansion of helium gas through a nozzle into a vacuum chamber, and the coherent clusters are directed in a beam by at least one accelerating potential from the vacuum chamber, and collimating means is provided for collimating the beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method claimed in claim 2 wherein the clusters are rendered coherent among themselves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method claimed in claim 2 wherein said electrons are directed in a beam at the clusters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method claimed in claim 7 wherein the clusters are of helium ions generated by a process including the expansion of helium gas through a nozzle into a vacuum chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method claimed in claim 7 wherein the clusters are of helium ions generated by a process including the expansion of helium gas through a nozzle into a vacuum chamber, and the coherent clusters are directed in a beam by at least one accelerating potential from the vacuum chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method claimed in claim 7 wherein the clusters are of helium ions generated by a process including the expansion of helium gas through a nozzle into a vacuum chamber, and the coherent clusters are directed in a beam by at least one accelerating potential from the vacuum chamber, and collimating means is provided for collimating the beam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method claimed in claim 1 wherein the clusters are of helium ions generated by a process including the expansion of helium gas through a nozzle into a vacuum chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method claimed in claim 1 wherein the clusters are of helium ions generated by a process including the expansion of helium gas through a nozzle into a vacuum chamber, and the coherent clusters are directed in a beam by at least one accelerating potential from the vacuum chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method claimed in claim 1 wherein the clusters are of helium ions generated by a process including the expansion of helium gas through a nozzle into a vacuum chamber, and the coherent clusters are directed in a beam by at least one accelerating potential from the vacuum chamber, and collimating means is provided for collimating the beam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method claimed in claim 1 wherein the clusters are rendered coherent among themselves.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the clusters are rendered coherent among themselves.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus for forming coherent clusters comprising means for generating clusters and coherence inducing means for causing at least some of the clusters to be coherent.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus for forming coherent clusters comprising means for generating clusters and coherence inducing means for causing at least some of the clusters to be coherent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the coherence-inducing means comprises means for generating further particles for interacting with the clusters whereby the clusters are rendered coherent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the means for generating clusters comprises nozzle means and vacuum chamber means arranged for direction of helium gas through the nozzle to the vacuum chamber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the means for generating clusters comprises nozzle means and vacuum chamber means arranged for direction of helium gas through the nozzle to the vacuum chamber; wherein collimating means is provided for collimating the clusters into a beam.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method claimed in claim 16 wherein the coherence-inducing means comprises a source of a beam of coherent light for direction at the clusters to cause the clusters to be rendered coherent.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the means for generating clusters comprises nozzle means and vacuum chamber means arranged for direction of helium gas through the nozzle to the vacuum chamber.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the means for generating clusters comprises nozzle means and vacuum chamber means arranged for direction of helium gas through the nozzle to the vacuum chamber; wherein collimating means is provided for collimating the clusters into a beam.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the means for generating clusters comprises nozzle means and vacuum chamber means arranged for direction of helium gas through the nozzle to the vacuum chamber.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the means for generating clusters comprises nozzle means and vacuum chamber means arranged for direction of helium gas through the nozzle to the vacuum chamber; wherein collimating means are provided for collimating the clusters into a beam.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said nozzle serves as the source of said electrons.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said particles have a very low energy to enable adequate time for the clusters to form therearound.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the clusters are generated by passing a material through a nozzle into a vacuum, said nozzle maintaining the material at a pressure higher than the vacuum pressure so that said clusters are formed by the expansion of the material as it moves from said nozzle to said vacuum.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said nozzle serves as a source of said particles.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said particles have a very low energy so that there is adequate time for said clusters to form around said particles.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least some of said clusters are coherent amongst themselves as well as coherent within themselves.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method claimed in claim 2 wherein said electrons are released from a target in the vicinity of the clusters by means of a beam of coherent photons directed at said target.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4755344A
Cited
US4875213A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-07-09 | 1994-01-08 | 1994-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-09 | 1998-01-08 | 1998-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-09 | 2002-01-08 | 2002-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |