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US4963735A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Plasma source mass spectrometer

Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
•
Filing: 1989-11-07
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Granted: 1990-10-16
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Expires: 2009-11-07
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Abstract

Abstract A plasma source mass spectrometer in which ions in a plasma generated in a high pressure (≦1 atm) region are introduced into a low pressure (≦10 -5 Torr) region to analysis the ion mass includes a moderate pressure (≧10 -3 Torr) region which is provided between the high pressure region and the low pressure region. The plasma generated in the high pressure region is diffused to the moderate pressure region in order to produce a diffused plasma. Ions are extracted from the diffused plasma by an ion extraction electrode having an ion extraction opening. In the vicinity of the ion extraction opening a convex-shaped toward the diffused plasma whereby ion sheath is formed, whereby the ions can be extracted toward the low pressure region with a high efficiency.

Inventors

  • 👤 Yukio Okamoto
  • 👤 Tsutomu Komoda
  • 👤 Satoshi Shimura
  • 👤 Seiichi Murayama
  • 👤 Masataka Koga

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 06:34
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J49/00; H01J49/02; H01J49/10

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim 84 words
A plasma source mass spectrometer comprising at least: plasma generation means for generating a plasma in a high pressure region; diffusion means including a plasma sampling electrode having a plasma sampling opening through which the plasma generated in the high pressure region is diffused into a moderate pressure region to produce a diffused plasma; and ion extraction means for extracting ions from the diffused plasma, said ion extraction means including an ion extraction electrode for forming an ion sheath and an ion acceleration electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 84 words
A plasma source mass spectrometer comprising at least: plasma generation means for generating a plasma in a high pressure region; diffusion means including a plasma sampling electrode having a plasma sampling opening through which the plasma generated in the high pressure region is diffused into a moderate pressure region to produce a diffused plasma; and ion extraction means for extracting ions from the diffused plasma, said ion extraction means including an ion extraction electrode for forming an ion sheath and an ion acceleration electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 35 words
A plasma source mass spectrometer according to claim 1, wherein an angle θ satisfying 0<θ≦90° is established between the center axis of said plasma generation means and the center axis of said ion extraction means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 58 words
A plasma source mass spectrometer, according to claim 1, further comprising an ion energy control electrode provided in the rear of said ion acceleration electrode in a direction of travel of ions, said ion energy control electrode having an orifice for passing the ions therethrough, and a bias voltage V B applied to said ion energy control electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 58 words
A plasma source mass spectrometer, according to claim 2, further comprising an ion energy control electrode provided in the rear of said ion acceleration electrode in a direction of travel of ions, said ion energy control electrode having an orifice for passing the ions therethrough, and a bias voltage V B applied to said ion energy control electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 34 words
A plasma source mass spectrometer according to claim 1, wherein each of said plasma sampling electrode and said ion extraction electrode is grounded while said ion acceleration electrode is connected to a negative potential.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 34 words
A plasma source mass spectrometer according to claim 2, wherein each of said plasma sampling electrode and said ion extraction electrode is grounded while said ion acceleration electrode is connected to a negative potential.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 34 words
A plasma source mass spectrometer according to claim 1, wherein each of said plasma sampling electrode and said ion extraction electrode is connected to a positive potential while said ion acceleration electrode is grounded.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 34 words
A plasma source mass spectrometer according to claim 2, wherein each of said plasma sampling electrode and said ion extraction electrode is connected to a positive potential while said ion acceleration electrode is grounded.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 34 words
A plasma source mass spectrometer according to claim 1, further comprising a lens system provided in the rear of said ion acceleration electrode in a direction of travel of ions for focusing the ions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 34 words
A plasma source mass spectrometer according to claim 2, further comprising a lens system provided in the rear of said ion acceleration electrode in a direction of travel of ions for focusing the ions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 26 words
A plasma source mass spectrometer according to claim 1, wherein said ion extraction electrode and said ion acceleration electrode are attached to the same supporting substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 26 words
A plasma source mass spectrometer according to claim 2, wherein said ion extraction electrode and said ion acceleration electrode are attached to the same supporting substrate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 44 words
A plasma source mass spectrometer according to claim 11, wherein setting recesses for setting said ion extraction electrode and said ion acceleration electrode are provided in said supporting substrate and said ion extraction electrode and said ion acceleration electrodes are inserted into said recesses.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 44 words
A plasma source mass spectrometer according to claim 12, wherein setting recesses for setting said ion extraction electrode and said ion acceleration electrode are provided in said supporting substrate and said ion extraction electrode and said ion acceleration electrodes are inserted into said recesses.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4287419A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-10-15 1994-04-16 1994-10-16 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-10-15 1998-04-16 1998-10-16 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-10-15 2002-04-16 2002-10-16 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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