An x-ray tube includes an electron emitter and a cathode cup having a recess that holds the electron emitter. The recess has a bottom surface, and a shield is positioned in the recess between the electron emitter and the bottom surface. The shield is configured to receive deposited sublimated emitter material and to maintain the sublimated emitter material away from the electron emitter.

An x-ray tube includes an electron emitter and a cathode cup having a recess that holds the electron emitter. The recess has a bottom surface, and a shield is positioned in the recess between the electron emitter and the bottom surface. The shield is configured to receive deposited sublimated emitter material and to maintain the sublimated emitter material away from the electron emitter.

An electron extractor of an electron source capable of absorbing contaminant materials from a cavity proximate to the extractor is disclosed. The electron extractor includes a body. The body of the electron extractor is formed from one or more non-evaporable getter materials. The one or more non-evaporable getter materials absorb one or more contaminants contained within a region proximate to the body of the electron extractor. The body of the electron extractor is further configured to extract electrons from one or more emitters posited proximate to the body of the electron extractor.

An electron extractor of an electron source capable of absorbing contaminant materials from a cavity proximate to the extractor is disclosed. The electron extractor includes a body. The body of the electron extractor is formed from one or more non-evaporable getter materials. The one or more non-evaporable getter materials absorb one or more contaminants contained within a region proximate to the body of the electron extractor. The body of the electron extractor is further configured to extract electrons from one or more emitters posited proximate to the body of the electron extractor.

An ion guide includes a first arrangement of electrodes on a first surface, a second arrangement of electrodes on a second surface, and an ion containment space in a gap therebetween. The first arrangement includes first electrodes and second electrodes. Each first electrode includes a first main portion and a first edge portion. The first edge portion is wider than the first main portion. The second arrangement includes third electrodes and fourth electrodes. Each fourth electrode includes a fourth main portion and a fourth edge portion. The fourth edge portion is wider than the fourth main portion. The first edge portions are positioned opposite the fourth edge portions. The first electrodes and the third electrodes are configured to receive first RF voltages and the second electrodes and the fourth electrodes are configured to receive second RF voltages that are phase-shifted with respect to the first RF voltages.

An ion guide includes a first arrangement of electrodes on a first surface, a second arrangement of electrodes on a second surface, and an ion containment space in a gap therebetween. The first arrangement includes first electrodes and second electrodes. Each first electrode includes a first main portion and a first edge portion. The first edge portion is wider than the first main portion. The second arrangement includes third electrodes and fourth electrodes. Each fourth electrode includes a fourth main portion and a fourth edge portion. The fourth edge portion is wider than the fourth main portion. The first edge portions are positioned opposite the fourth edge portions. The first electrodes and the third electrodes are configured to receive first RF voltages and the second electrodes and the fourth electrodes are configured to receive second RF voltages that are phase-shifted with respect to the first RF voltages.

A method for purifying particles generates charged particles from a sample, measures at least at least one of masses, charge magnitudes and mobilities of the generated charged particles, and selectively passes to a particle collection target each of the measured charged particles having at least one of (a) a measured mass equal to a selected mass or within a selected range of particle masses, (b) a measured charge magnitude equal to a selected charge magnitude or within a selected range of charge magnitudes, (c) a mass-to-charge ratio equal to a selected mass-to-charge ratio or within a selected range of mass-to-charge ratios, and (d) a measured mobility equal to a selected mobility or within a selected range of mobilities. In some embodiments, the collected particles may be harvested and amplified.

A method for purifying particles generates charged particles from a sample, measures at least at least one of masses, charge magnitudes and mobilities of the generated charged particles, and selectively passes to a particle collection target each of the measured charged particles having at least one of (a) a measured mass equal to a selected mass or within a selected range of particle masses, (b) a measured charge magnitude equal to a selected charge magnitude or within a selected range of charge magnitudes, (c) a mass-to-charge ratio equal to a selected mass-to-charge ratio or within a selected range of mass-to-charge ratios, and (d) a measured mobility equal to a selected mobility or within a selected range of mobilities. In some embodiments, the collected particles may be harvested and amplified.

An ion trap device is disclosed with a method of manufacturing thereof including a substrate, first and second RF electrode rails, first and second DC electrodes on either upper or lower side of substrate, and a laser penetration passage connected to ion trapping zone from outer side of the first or second side of substrate. The substrate includes ion trapping zone in space defined by first and second sides of substrate separated by a distance with reference to width direction of ion trap device. The first and second RF electrode rails are arranged in parallel longitudinally of ion trap device. The first RF electrode is arranged on upper side of first side, the second DC electrode is arranged on lower side of first side, the first DC electrode is arranged on upper side of second side, and the second RF electrode rail is arranged on lower side of second side.

An ion trap device is disclosed with a method of manufacturing thereof including a substrate, first and second RF electrode rails, first and second DC electrodes on either upper or lower side of substrate, and a laser penetration passage connected to ion trapping zone from outer side of the first or second side of substrate. The substrate includes ion trapping zone in space defined by first and second sides of substrate separated by a distance with reference to width direction of ion trap device. The first and second RF electrode rails are arranged in parallel longitudinally of ion trap device. The first RF electrode is arranged on upper side of first side, the second DC electrode is arranged on lower side of first side, the first DC electrode is arranged on upper side of second side, and the second RF electrode rail is arranged on lower side of second side.