Some variations provide an electrochemical solid-state field-emission ion source comprising: (a) an ion conductor comprising a protuberance within a protuberance region, wherein the ion conductor contains mobile ions; (b) a first electrode disposed distally from the ion conductor, wherein the protuberance region is on the same side of the first electrode as the ion conductor; (c) a second electrode in contact with the ion conductor, wherein the second electrode is electrically isolated from the first electrode; and (d) an electrical insulator between the ion conductor and the first electrode. Some variations provide a method of electrochemically emitting ions from a field-emission ion source, comprising: applying an electrode potential between the first electrode and the second electrode; oxidizing or reducing the atoms in the atom reservoir, and transporting the atoms into and through the ion conductor as mobile ions; and emitting the mobile ions from the protuberance.

A device for generating negative ions comprises: a) an ionizer (14) including a heatable ionizer surface; b) a heater (60) for heating said ionizer whereby positive ions (30) are generated at said ionizer surface (14e); c) a target (34) including a material for generating negative ions when said positive ions impigne on said material;
wherein d) said ionizer is arranged opposite the target; e) said target is electrically negatively biased in respect to said ionizer; f) said ionizer comprises an aperture (22) through which said generated negative ions are extracted from said target to generate a beam (50) of negative ions; and
wherein g) said ionizer surface (14e) is planar.

A device for generating negative ions comprises: a) an ionizer (14) including a heatable ionizer surface; b) a heater (60) for heating said ionizer whereby positive ions (30) are generated at said ionizer surface (14e); c) a target (34) including a material for generating negative ions when said positive ions impigne on said material;
wherein d) said ionizer is arranged opposite the target; e) said target is electrically negatively biased in respect to said ionizer; f) said ionizer comprises an aperture (22) through which said generated negative ions are extracted from said target to generate a beam (50) of negative ions; and
wherein g) said ionizer surface (14e) is planar.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for ionizing a surface. In one implementation, an ionization source may include a microhollow cathode plasma or micro cavity plasma (MCP)-based ion source having a cavity and generating a plasma. A gas stream may pass through the cavity and transport the plasma. The source may further include one or more conductive electrodes located downstream from the MCP and configured to have a potential relative to the MCP such that positive and negative ions included in the plasma are carried through the electrodes by the gas stream. In another implementation, a mixer may mix a dopant (e.g. water) with the gas stream (e.g. air) entering the discharge. The disclosure also relates to a surface ionization probe.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for ionizing a surface. In one implementation, an ionization source may include a microhollow cathode plasma or micro cavity plasma (MCP)-based ion source having a cavity and generating a plasma. A gas stream may pass through the cavity and transport the plasma. The source may further include one or more conductive electrodes located downstream from the MCP and configured to have a potential relative to the MCP such that positive and negative ions included in the plasma are carried through the electrodes by the gas stream. In another implementation, a mixer may mix a dopant (e.g. water) with the gas stream (e.g. air) entering the discharge. The disclosure also relates to a surface ionization probe.

A device for generating a source current of charge carriers and a method for stabilizing a source current of charge carriers are disclosed. In an embodiment the device includes at least one field emission element configured to emit charge carriers, which lead to an emission current in the field emission element, at least one extraction electrode configured to apply an extraction voltage in order to extract the charge carriers from the field emission element, wherein a first part of the extracted charge carriers contributes to the source current, and a second part of the extracted charge carriers impinges on the extraction electrode and leads to an extraction current in the extraction electrode and a control device configured to reduce fluctuations of a controlled variable Q which is a characteristic for the source current, wherein Q is a function of a difference between the emission current and the extraction current.

A device for generating a source current of charge carriers and a method for stabilizing a source current of charge carriers are disclosed. In an embodiment the device includes at least one field emission element configured to emit charge carriers, which lead to an emission current in the field emission element, at least one extraction electrode configured to apply an extraction voltage in order to extract the charge carriers from the field emission element, wherein a first part of the extracted charge carriers contributes to the source current, and a second part of the extracted charge carriers impinges on the extraction electrode and leads to an extraction current in the extraction electrode and a control device configured to reduce fluctuations of a controlled variable Q which is a characteristic for the source current, wherein Q is a function of a difference between the emission current and the extraction current.

A discharge device includes a connector portion, an electrode portion, and a housing portion. A voltage is applied to the connector portion externally. The electrode portion discharges by boosting and supplying a voltage from the connector portion. The housing portion houses the connector portion and the electrode portion. The housing portion includes a step portion between the connector portion and the electrode portion. The step portion is, for example, a recess.

A discharge device includes a connector portion, an electrode portion, and a housing portion. A voltage is applied to the connector portion externally. The electrode portion discharges by boosting and supplying a voltage from the connector portion. The housing portion houses the connector portion and the electrode portion. The housing portion includes a step portion between the connector portion and the electrode portion. The step portion is, for example, a recess.

An ion generating device (1) includes: a discharge electrode (21,22), protruding from a surface of the ion generating device, for generating ions by electric discharge, the discharge electrode having (i) a tip part (31) including a brush-like electrically conductive member and (ii) a base end part (33) to which the brush-like electrically conductive member is attached, and the base end part protruding from the surface of the ion generating device for a length (L2) that is longer than a length (L1) of the tip part.