Abstract:
A system and method for producing a continuous or pulsed source of high energy electrons at or near atmospheric pressure is disclosed. High energy electrons are used to ionize analyte molecules in ambient air through collisions with reactant ions. The device includes an electron emitter, electron optics, and a thin membrane in an evacuated tube. The electron emitter may include a photocathode surface mounted on an optically transparent window and an external source of UV photons. The transparent window may include a UV transparent window mounted on an evacuated tube and/or the evacuated tube may be a transparent tube on which a photocathode surface film is deposited. The electron optics may include successive electrodes biased at increasing voltages. The membrane may include a material transparent or semi-transparent to energetic electrons. Upon impacting the membrane, continuous or pulsed electron packets are partially transmitted through to a high pressure ionization region.
Abstract:
In an Ebeam system, the cathode assembly and/or the window assembly can be simply and quickly replaced or exchanged as required by conditions of use, without replacing the vacuum chamber, or other component systems. In some cases, replacement may be made without removing the vacuum chamber from its installed position. As a result, the cathode assembly and the window assembly can be readily changed over for maintenance. In addition, modular replacement cathode assemblies and window assemblies having varying characteristics may be selected to match a specific desired application, and then installed into the system. The system may be designed as a compact and lightweight portable device.
Abstract:
An electron beam emitter including a vacuum chamber having a width. An electron generator can be positioned within the vacuum chamber for generating electrons. An elongate nozzle can extend from the vacuum chamber along a longitudinal axis and have an exit window at a distal end of the nozzle. The nozzle can have a width that is less than the width of the vacuum chamber. The electron generator can be shaped and dimensioned, and positioned with the vacuum chamber to form and direct a narrow electron beam that enters and travels through the nozzle, and exits out the exit window.
Abstract:
Multi-pixel electron microbeam irradiator systems and methods are provided with particular applicability for selectively irradiating predetermined cells or cell locations. A multi-pixel electron microbeam irradiator system can include a plurality of individually addressable electron field emitters sealed in a vacuum. The multi-pixel electron microbeam irradiator system can include an anode comprising one or more electron permeable portions corresponding to the plurality of electron field emitters. Further, the multi-pixel electron microbeam irradiator system can include a controller operable to individually control electron extraction from each of the electron field emitters for selectively irradiating predetermined locations such as cells or cell locations.
Abstract:
A detector is disclosed for sensing an intensity of an electron beam generated along a path. An exemplary detector includes an exposed conductor attached to a support which is configured to locate the exposed conductor within a path of an electron beam; a grounded conductor isolated from the exposed conductor, the grounded conductor partly surrounding the exposed conductor to form a plasma shield having a window positioned at least in a direction of the electron beam path.
Abstract:
An apparatus for irradiating surfaces includes an electron beam generator for generating a beam of electrons. The beam of electrons exits the electron beam generator through an exit window. A robotic device moves the beam of electrons over the surfaces to irradiate selected regions of the surfaces. The robotic device includes a propulsion system for propelling the robotic device.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus (11) for irradiating an electron beam, wherein a triangular wave generator (22) provides a triangular wave current to a scanning coil (17) to move the electron beam in a first scanning direction (Y), while a square wave generator (21) provides a square wave current to a deflecting coil (16) to move the electron beam in a second scanning direction (X) orthogonal to the first scanning direction (Y). The triangular wave current provided from the triangular wave generator is modulated to cancel the effects of hysteresis in the scanning coil. Further, the rise of the square wave current is synchronized and shifted a prescribed interval in relation to the peak values of the triangular wave current in order to distribute the reversing points on the electron beam path along the second scanning direction.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus (11) for irradiating an electron beam, wherein a triangular wave generator (22) provides a triangular wave current to a scanning coil (17) to move the electron beam in a first scanning direction (Y), while a square wave generator (21) provides a square wave current to a deflecting coil (16) to move the electron beam in a second scanning direction (X) orthogonal to the first scanning direction (Y). The triangular wave current provided from the triangular wave generator is modulated to cancel the effects of hysteresis in the scanning coil. Further, the rise of the square wave current is synchronized and shifted a prescribed interval in relation to the peak values of the triangular wave current in order to distribute the reversing points on the electron beam path along the second scanning direction.
Abstract:
Electron gun with band-shaped beams that includes a vacuum chamber extend in a longitudinal direction, a beam window running in the longitudinal direction along the vacuum chamber, and a cathode control-electrode system positioned within the vacuum chamber in the longitudinal direction. The cathode control-electrode system includes at least one substantially straight cathode positioned substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cathode control-electrode system and the at least one substantially straight cathode has bulges formed at defined distances. The bulges are shaped to produce a substantially homogeneous current density distribution along the at least one substantially straight cathode and support units are located in the cathode control-electrode system to correspond with the bulges. The bulges are removably couplable to the support units.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a device to irradiate surfaces with electrons, especially to harden surface layers. The device includes a vacuum chamber that has an electron beam window; an electron beam-permeable film that closes off the vacuum chamber from the ambient medium; and an electron beam generating system, consisting of a cathode and a forming electrode which are connected to a high-voltage and beam current feed line. In order to achieve an increase of the electron beam power and to reduce the energy losses during the transfer out of the electron beam window in such a device, according to the invention, the forming electrode is designed as a tubular hollow body with inner hollow space lengthwise dividers and with a lengthwise slit that is open towards the electron beam window. A wire-shaped cathode is arranged in each hollow space segment divided off by the hollow space lengthwise divider.