Emitter Electrode Tip Geometry for Ion Current Enhancement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emitter electrode structures are inefficient in maximizing ion currents due to limitations in design, particularly in the angle and curvature of the shank part, which affects the capture and ionization of gas atoms and molecules.
Innovation Solution
The emitter electrode is designed with a tip end part having a large radius of curvature and a shank part with a long length and a small angle, where the distance from the tip to the shank is 300 times the diameter, enhancing ion currents by increasing the effective captured gas area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the radius of curvature of the tip end part is increased, then the effective captured gas area is enlarged and ion currents are enhanced, but the manufacturing precision requirements are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a radius of curvature range of 50 nanometers to 5 micrometers, transforming the geometric parameter into a controllable design variable. This parameter change optimizes the balance between capturing sufficient gas atoms (larger radius) and maintaining manufacturability (reasonable radius range), directly resolving the contradiction between ion current enhancement and manufacturing precision requirements
2Quantity of substance
If the length of the shank part is increased to reduce the angle θ, then the ion currents are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent defines the shank part length as 300 times the first diameter, establishing a proportional relationship rather than fixed dimensions. This parameter change allows the shank length to scale with the tip size, optimizing the angle θ for ion current enhancement while maintaining proportional manufacturing complexity, thus resolving the contradiction between ion current improvement and device complexity
3Quantity of substance
If the first diameter is reduced to increase the radius of curvature ratio, then the ion currents are enhanced, but the manufacturing precision and stability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes that the first diameter equals 2 times the radius of curvature, creating a fixed geometric relationship. This parameter change ensures that as the radius of curvature increases to enhance ion currents, the diameter scales proportionally to maintain structural stability, resolving the contradiction between ion current enhancement and structural stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies a spherical tip end part with controlled radius of curvature, using curvature geometry to optimize gas atom capture. The spherical shape provides smooth stress distribution and structural stability while maximizing the captured gas area, resolving the contradiction between ion current enhancement through curvature and structural stability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design significantly increases ion currents from pico-amperes to nano-amperes, demonstrating a 5-fold enhancement in ion current generation.
Implementation Method 1
Gas field ions are generated by gas atoms and gas molecules ionized in an electrical field above a surface of an emitter electrode
Implementation Method 2
the gas atoms and gas molecules are attracted and polarized by the electrical field
Implementation Method 3
the gas atoms and gas molecules are attracted and polarized by the electrical field
Implementation Method 4
captured because of the heat exchange principle
Implementation Method 5
the gas atoms and the gas molecules are attracted to a pinpoint of the emitter electrode because of a potential energy well
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a structure of an emitter electrode for enhancing ion currents, including a tip end part and a shank part. The tip end part has a pinpoint, a first diameter, and a radius of curvature. A length of the tip end part with the shank part is from the pinpoint to a first position of the shank part and a distance between the first position and the pinpoint is 300 times the first diameter. The radius of curvature of the tip end part ranges from 50 nanometers to 5 micrometers. The first diameter is 2 times the radius of curvature.