US3569706A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for generating a continuous beam of neutral atoms
Assignee: PHYSICS TECHNOLOGY LAB Inc
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Filing: 1965-10-22
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Granted: 1971-03-09
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Expires: 1985-10-22
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for generating a continuous beam of sputtered neutral atoms that are sputtered from metallic members, condensed layers of gases, single crystals and condensed layers of gases on single crystals, and which continuous beam passes through an aperture providing a directed beam that may be restricted to neutral atoms having a monovelocity by a velocity selector means.
Inventors
- 👤 Benjamin B Meckel
- 👤 Bernd H Richelmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:41
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05H; H05H3/00; H05H3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for generating a continuous beam of neutral atoms from gases in preferred directions of movement and at a given speed comprising: an evacuated housing enclosing a metallic member; meanS for injecting a small amount of gas into said housing; means for condensing portions of said gas on said metallic member; means for ionizing a portion of said gas and sputtering said condensed gas by ion bombardment causing neutral atoms to be ejected therefrom; tube means aligned for receiving and passing therethrough portions of said neutral atoms to form a neutral atom beam; one end of said tube means being positioned immediately adjacent said condensed gas; and velocity selector means for receiving said beam from said tube means and passing only that portion of said neutral atoms in said beam having a given speed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
80 words
The method of generating a continuous beam of neutral atoms from gases comprising the steps of: drawing a vacuum in a container; injecting a gas into said container; condensing a portion of said gas on a cold finger in said container; ionizing the remainder of said gas in said container creating a plasma; and generating a continuous beam of neutral atoms by using the plasma to sputter the condensed layers of gases on the cold finger surface in the vacuum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of generating a continuous beam of neutral atoms from gases as claimed in claim 3 comprising the additional step of, moving said continuous beam of neutral atoms through a restricted opening to provide a directed beam of neutral atoms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of generating a continuous beam of neutral atoms from gases as claimed in claim 4 including the step of, employing a velocity selector device for receiving the beam through the restricted opening and passing only those neutral atoms that have a given selected velocity, thereby producing a continuous beam of neutral atoms having a given monochromatic velocity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-08 | 1974-09-07 | 1975-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-08 | 1978-09-07 | 1979-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-08 | 1982-09-07 | 1983-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |