Abstract:
The invention provides an ion source comprising first and second cathode pole pieces spaced apart from one another to form a cavity therebetween, an edge of the first cathode pole piece being spaced apart from an edge of the second cathode pole piece to define an elongate cathode gap between the respective edges of the pole pieces, the elongate cathode gap having a longitudinal axis; at least one magnet arranged for magnetising the first and second cathode pole pieces with opposite magnetic polarities; an elongate anode located in the cavity, the anode being spaced apart from the first and second cathode pole pieces and having a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis of the elongate anode and the longitudinal axis of the elongate cathode gap substantially coplanar; a first electrical connection which extends from outside the cavity to the anode; and a gas feed conduit which extends from outside the cavity to inside the cavity for introducing a gas into the cavity.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for producing zinc oxide nanostructures, the method comprising: providing a zinc anode and a cathode in an arc discharge chamber, wherein the cathode is arranged horizontally in the arc discharge chamber and the anode is arranged vertically; supplying current to the anode and the cathode to establish an arc discharge between the cathode and the anode to vaporise the anode and produce the zinc oxide nanostructures; terminating the current supply to the anode and the cathode; and collecting the resulting zinc oxide nanostructures. Also disclosed is a method for producing a sensor component, the method comprising: providing a sensor substrate comprising a conducting thin film at least partially covering at least two regions on at least one surface of a sensor substrate material to define a gap in the conducting thin film; applying a mixture comprising zinc oxide nanostructures and a nonionic polymer to at least a portion of the gap in the conducting thin film and thereby bridge the gap; and optionally, annealing the mixture of zinc oxide nanostructures and nonionic polymer applied to the sensor substrate, to provide the sensor component. Further disclosed is a sensor component comprising: a sensor substrate comprising a conducting thin film at least partially covering at least two regions on at least one surface of a sensor substrate material to define a gap in the conducting thin film; and a mixture comprising zinc oxide nanostructures and a nonionic polymer covering at least a portion of the gap in the conducting thin film, thereby bridging the gap.