Abstract:
The invention relates to apparatus and methods for generating and recycling fluorine. The applicants recognized that a fluorine separator, used either alone or in combination with a plasma generator can produce sufficient quantities of fluorine at its point of use for thin film processing. The fluorine separator can take the form of a condenser, a membrane separation device, a fluorine ion conductor comprising a solid electrolyte, or a combination of the foregoing. In some embodiments, reaction products comprising fluorine are passed to the fluorine separator. In other embodiments, separated fluorine is passed, either alone or in conjunction with additional feed stock comprising fluorine, to a plasma generator. The fluorine separator allows fluorine to be recycled and waste products to be eliminated from the system.
Abstract:
Plasma ignition and cooling apparatus and methods for plasma systems are described. An apparatus (300) includes a vessel (390) and at least one ignition electrode (330) adjacent to the vessel. A total length of a dimension (D) of the at least one ignition electrode is greater than 10% of a length of the vessel's channel. The apparatus can include a dielectric toroidal vessel, a heat sink having multiple segments urged toward the vessel by a spring-Loaded mechanism, and a thermal interface betv&-en the vessel and the heat sink. A method can include providing a gas having a flow rate and a pressure and directing a portion of the flow rate of the gas into a vessel channel. The gas is ignited in the channel while the remaining portion of the flow rate is directed away from the channel.
Abstract:
An apparatus for producing light includes a chamber (128) and optionally an ignition source (104, 140) that ionizes a gas within the chamber. The apparatus also includes an energy source at least one laser (104), that provides energy (124) to the ionized gas (132) within the chamber to produce a high brightness light (136). The apparatus may also comprise a reflector that reflects the light emitted through the walls of the chamber. The apparatus may also comprise a blocker suspended along a path the energy travels to block at least a portion of the energy.
Abstract:
A system and methods are described for generating reagent ions and product ions for use in a mass spectrometry system. Applications for the system and method are also disclosed for detecting volatile organic compounds in trace concentrations. A microwave or high-frequency RF energy source ionizes particles of a reagent vapor to form reagent ions. The reagent ions enter a chamber, such as a drift chamber, to interact with a fluid sample. An electric field directs the reagent ions and facilitates an interaction with the fluid sample to form product ions. The reagent ions and product ions then exit the chamber under the influence of an electric field for detection by a mass spectrometer module. The system includes various control modules for setting values of system parameters and analysis modules for detection of mass and peak intensity values for ion species during spectrometry and faults within the system.
Abstract:
A system and methods are described for generating reagent ions and product ions for use in a mass spectrometry system. Applications for the system and method are also disclosed for detecting volatile organic compounds in trace concentrations. A microwave or high-frequency RF energy source ionizes particles of a reagent vapor to form reagent ions. The reagent ions enter a chamber, such as a drift chamber, to interact with a fluid sample. An electric field directs the reagent ions and facilitates an interaction with the fluid sample to form product ions. The reagent ions and product ions then exit the chamber under the influence of an electric field for detection by a mass spectrometer module. The system includes various control modules for setting values of system parameters and analysis modules for detection of mass and peak intensity values for ion species during spectrometry and faults within the system.
Abstract:
The invention relates to apparatus and methods for generating and recycling fluorine. The applicants recognized that a fluorine separator, used either alone or in combination with a plasma generator can produce sufficient quantities of fluorine at its point of use for thin film processing. The fluorine separator can take the form of a condenser, a membrane separation device, a fluorine ion conductor comprising a solid electrolyte, or a combination of the foregoing. In some embodiments, reaction products comprising fluorine are passed to the fluorine separator. In other embodiments, separated fluorine is passed, either alone or in conjunction with additional feed stock comprising fluorine, to a plasma generator. The fluorine separator allows fluorine to be recycled and waste products to be eliminated from the system.
Abstract:
An apparatus for producing light includes a chamber and an ignition source that ionizes a gas within the chamber. The apparatus also includes at least one laser that provides energy to the ionized gas within the chamber to produce a high brightness light. The laser can provide a substantially continuous amount of energy to the ionized gas to generate a substantially continuous high brightness light.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for operating plasmas are described. The vessel receives an oxygen containing plasma to clean and/or condition the vessel. Some embodiments of the invention feature methods and apparatus for improving ignition properties of the plasmas.
Abstract:
A system (200) and method are provided for delivering power to a dynamic load (260). The system includes a power supply (210) providing DC power having a substantially constant power open loop response, a power amplifier (220) for converting the DC power to RF power, a sensor (240) for measuring voltage, current and phase angle between voltage and current vectors associated with the RF power, an electrically controllable impedance matching system (250, 252) to modify the impedance of the power amplifier to at least a substantially matched impedance of the dynamic load (260), and a controller (230) for controlling the electrically controllable impedance matching system (200). The system (200) further includes a sensor calibration measuring module for determining power delivered by the power amplifier, an electronic matching system calibration module (252) for determining power delivered to the dynamic load, (260) and a power dissipation module for calculating power dissipated in the electrically controllable impedance matching system.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for processing metal bearing gases involves generating a toroidal plasma in a plasma chamber. A metal bearing gas is introduced into the plasma chamber to react with the toroidal plasma. The interaction between the toroidal plasma and the metal bearing gas produces at least one of a metallic material, a metal oxide material or a metal nitride material.