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Published on: May 3, 2019
Thermionic Electron Beam Current and Accelerating Voltage Controller for Gas Ion Sources.
Jarosław Sikora1, Bartosz Kania1, Janusz Mroczka2
1Department of Automatics and Metrology, Lublin University of Technology, 20-618 Lublin, Poland.
A new digital controller enhances the stability of thermionic electron emission current and accelerating voltage. This improves measurement repeatability in instruments like mass spectrometers and ionization gauges.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Electrical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Thermionic emission sources are critical for electron impact gas ion sources.
- Instrument measurement repeatability relies on stable ion current, influenced by electron beam current and accelerating voltage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a laboratory controller for thermionic electron beam current and accelerating voltage.
- To enhance stability and repeatability in electron impact ion sources.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a digital algorithm for precise control.
- Development of a laboratory-based controller system.
Main Results:
- Achieved an average percentage standard deviation of 0.021% for emission current.
- Demonstrated a maximum electron accelerating voltage change of less than 0.011% over the full emission current range.
Conclusions:
- The developed controller significantly improves the stability of electron beam current and accelerating voltage.
- This technology is valuable for various measuring instruments, including MEMS mass spectrometers and universal gas sensors.
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