A conduit is placed between a vacuum system and the open air or other gaseous environment. A laser or other excitation source is used to ionize the air on the air-side of the conduit. An axial applied electric field is used to repel positive ions from traversing the tube and reaching the region of the vacuum. Electrons are collected in the vacuum region and disposed of using a Faraday cup. The repelled ions assist in creating a counter pressure to sweep neutral atoms out of the tube and back into the ambient air. As a result, a hollow tube can connect an evacuated volume to the open air without compromising the vacuum. This is a “windowless window.” An array of such tubes can be assembled together to increase the area of the aperture.
System and method to maintain vacuum, or to selectively exclude/admit electromagnetic energy
12.11.2024
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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