Abstract:
An ion pump includes one or more anode pump cells, a cathode positioned in proximity to the one or more anode pump cells and a magnet assembly for producing a magnetic field in the one or more anode pump cells. An electric field is applied between the cathode and the one or more anode pump cells. The magnet assembly includes primary magnets of opposite polarities disposed on opposite ends of the anode pump cells and secondary magnets disposed on opposite sides of the anode pump cells. The magnet assembly may further include a magnet yoke which provides a magnetic flux return path. The magnet assembly produces a substantially uniform axial magnetic field in the one or more anode pump cells.
Abstract:
A plasma pump and method for pumping ions from a first to second region, the pump including a partition member having a through opening defining a plurality of conduits (30); a group of magnets (24) to provide magnetic forces that extend to the conduits; and a plurality of electric potential sources (14) for creating electrostatic fields which accelerate ions from the conduits to the second region.
Abstract:
Diode sputter ion pumps display instabilities like current bursts, leakage currents and arcs typically following pumping exposure to gas doses greater than the ultimate pressure of the vacuum system in which the pump is operating. The instabilities are disruptive to the devices to which the sputter ion pump is attached. The invention provides an ion pump that exhibits improved stability and reduced leakage current. The instabilities are caused by explosive arc emission and electron emission from structures like dendritic protrusions that grow on the cathode plate, whose shape and placement give rise to high electric fields. According to the invention the cathode includes a sputterable material for removing gases from the environment of the ion pump and shaped so that during operation of the ion pump the electric field in a dendritic growth region is insufficient to cause field emission from the dendrites thereby reducing instabilities in the operation of the ion pump.
Abstract:
An ion pump permits the continuous evacuation of a small-envelope vacuum chamber while drawing a relatively small amount of power (micro watts). In a preferred embodiment, the present ion pump occupies a space enclosed by a first surface of chamber (1), a second surface of chamber (2), a side of chamber (3), and an optically-opaque shield (4). The small size and integration of the ion pump within the vacuum chamber enables the device in which the vacuum chamber is incorporated to be portable and to retain its original dimensions.
Abstract:
An arc vacuum pump which includes a housing, a getter material source, and a plurality of Penning discharge cells. Each Penning cell includes: an anode made of non-ferromagnetic material, a plurality of cathodes of which at least a first cathode has at least one orifice, the orifice dimensioned to channel entering getter material within the electron layer of the cell so that the plasma does not reach the anode. The first cathode is made of a magnetically conductive material. The cell also includes a magnet positioned outside of the housing, proximate to a second cathode. The second cathode is part of the housing wall. A magnet conductor is positioned outside the housing proximate to the magnet and in magnetic communication with the first cathode thereby forming a confining magnetic system with the first cathode and the magnet for confining the discharge of the cell.
Abstract:
A microminiaturized electrostatic pump has at least two spaced apart electrodes (10', 11') and one electrode supporting body (2'). A device for determining the flow rate of a gas or liquid also has at least two spaced apart electrodes (10', 11') and one electrode supporting body (2'). In order to simplify the production of such a device or pump, both electrodes (10', 11') are arranged on the main surfaces of a common electrode supporting body (2') that is insulated from at least one of the two electrodes (10', 11') and is provided with a throughflow opening that is substantially vertical to its main surfaces.
Abstract:
A spatter ion pump allowing a pump structure to be simplified with a reduced weight, a magnetic field near a center shaft to be reduced to zero in both radial and axial directions, and a pump attainable pressure to be increased, characterized in that the cylindrical portion of a vacuum chamber wall (1) is formed so as to be in a recessed and projected cross-sectional shape, a permanent magnet (2) is installed in each of outside recessed parts (1a) in the recessed and projected cross-sectional shape in the same magnetic pole direction, an anode electrode (3) is installed in each of inside recessed parts (1b) at the positions apart from the vacuum chamber wall, the cylindrical portion of the vacuum chamber wall is formed as a cathode electrode, a cylindrical magnetic shield member (7) having an exhaust hole is disposed in the vacuum chamber, and a plurality of permanent magnets and a plurality of anode electrodes are disposed at even intervals, respectively.
Abstract:
Diode sputter ion pumps display instabilities like current bursts, leakage currents and arcs typically following pumping exposure to gas doses greater than the ultimate pressure of the vacuum system in which the pump is operating. The instabilities are disruptive to the devices to which the sputter ion pump is attached. The invention provides an ion pump that exhibits improved stability and reduced leakage current. The instabilities are caused by explosive arc emission and electron emission from structures like dendritic protrusions that grow on the cathode plate, whose shape and placement give rise to high electric fields. According to the invention the cathode includes a sputterable material for removing gases from the environment of the ion pump and shaped so that during operation of the ion pump the electric field in a dendritic growth region is insufficient to cause field emission from the dendrites thereby reducing instabilities in the operation of the ion pump.