Mesh Plasma Ion Source for Stable Low-Power Ionization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-radioactive ion sources face challenges in achieving efficient, reliable, and long-lasting plasma generation for both positive and negative charge polarity, often requiring high power consumption and resulting in plasma contamination due to oxide layer formation and increased dielectric gaps, which limits their effectiveness in chemical analysis applications.
Innovation Solution
A non-radioactive plasma ion source design featuring a meshed member with multiple contact points for insulated wires, adjustable pulsating voltage, and a compact housing structure that reduces power requirements and minimizes undesirable gas production, enhancing plasma homogeneity and electrode longevity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a capacitive discharge ion source with crossed wire electrodes is used to generate plasma, then ionization efficiency is improved, but oxide layer forms on the wire surface leading to plasma contamination and unstable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single contact point into multiple contact points by using a mesh structure with multiple wires. This segmentation distributes the plasma generation across multiple locations, preventing oxide layer accumulation at any single point and maintaining operational stability while preserving ionization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs consumable wire mesh that can be easily replaced. Rather than attempting to maintain single wires indefinitely, the system uses inexpensive mesh structures that degrade uniformly and can be quickly swapped, ensuring continuous reliable operation without complex maintenance.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If two electrodes separated by insulators with spacers are used to form a gap, then electrode life is extended, but higher voltage is required to ignite and sustain plasma generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the electrode structure by using a mesh configuration with closely spaced wires rather than two separate electrodes with large gaps. This parameter change reduces the ignition voltage requirement while maintaining extended electrode life through the distributed wire structure.
3Reliability
If higher voltage is applied to sustain plasma in a larger gap, then plasma generation is maintained, but plasma temperature increases producing undesirable gases such as nitrogen oxide and ozone
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the plasma generation into multiple small contact points across the mesh structure, the patent maintains plasma stability without requiring high voltage. Each small gap produces lower temperature plasma, collectively providing stable ionization while minimizing harmful gas formation.
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
The solution provides improved power efficiency, increased plasma volume, and extended electrode life, ensuring reliable and uniform ion production for both positive and negative charge polarities, comparable to traditional radioactive ion sources.
Implementation Method 1
generate a plasma around the contact area of the crossed wires
Implementation Method 2
when subjected to high voltage, generate a plasma
Implementation Method 3
These analyte ions are then directed by an electric field and gas stream
Implementation Method 4
directed by an electric field and gas stream to an ion species analyser
Data Source
AI summary
A non-radioactive homogenous plasma ion source that is power efficient with greater electrode life longevity and performance (homogenous low temperature plasma for ion formation, stability, robustness) than alternative non-radioactive ion sources for generating analyte ions of either positive or negative charge. Its compact design minimizes the spacing between electrodes, reducing the power requirements needed to ignite and maintain plasma levels. The non-radioactive plasma ion source generally comprises a housing for retaining a uniquely designed ion source that generates a uniform distribution of plasma to maximize the generation of ions at a lower plasma temperature to minimize undesirable nitrogen oxide and ozone gasses, at least one planar electrode in one embodiment, a mounting head with a gas exhaust, and a chamber with a counterflow gas inlet, and an analyte gas inlet. The non-radioactive plasma source improves ion source reliability over existing non-radioactive sources that are less efficient with reduced electrode life longevity.