Patents Examined by Brue Anderson
  • Patent number: 5834768
    Abstract: A vacuum compatible hyperthermal atom generator includes a membrane having two sides, the membrane having the capability of dissolving atoms into the membrane's bulk. A first housing is furnished in operative association with the first side of the membrane to provide for the exposure of the first side of the membrane to a gas species. A second housing is furnished in operative association with the second side of the membrane to provide a vacuum environment having a pressure of less than 1.times.10.sup.-3 Torr on the second side of the membrane. Exciting means excites atoms adsorbed on the second side of the membrane to a non-binding state so that a portion from 0% to 100% of atoms adsorbed on the second side of is the membrane are released from the second side of the membrane primarily as an atom beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Ronald A. Outlaw, Mark R. Davidson