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.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    System and method to maintain vacuum, or to selectively exclude/admit electromagnetic energy


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2024-11-12


    Type of media :

    Patent


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English


    Classification :

    IPC:    B64C AEROPLANES , Flugzeuge / F03H PRODUCING A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR , Erzeugung von Vortriebskraft [Schub] nach dem Prinzip des Rückstoßes, soweit nicht anderweitig vorgesehen



    Selectively controllable electromagnetic shielding

    BAARMAN DAVID W / STONER JR WILLIAM T / SCHWANNECKE JOSHUA K et al. | European Patent Office | 2015

    Free access

    MPs admit to IT problems

    British Library Online Contents | 2008



    Editorial HM Revenue and Customs must admit its mistakes

    British Library Online Contents | 2005