Abstract: A device for replenishing ionizable material in a field ionization apparatus is disclosed. The device comprises a heatable reservoir containing the ionizable material, a field ionization electrode structure, and a channel being in fluid communication with said heatable reservoir. The heatable reservoir and the channel are designed and constructed such that when the heatable reservoir is heated to an evaporation temperature of the ionizable material, a flux of vaporized ionizable material is directed along the channel to a tip of the field ionization electrode structure.

Abstract: A device for replenishing ionizable material in a field ionization apparatus is disclosed. The device comprises a heatable reservoir containing the ionizable material, a field ionization electrode structure, and a channel being in fluid communication with said heatable reservoir. The heatable reservoir and the channel are designed and constructed such that when the heatable reservoir is heated to an evaporation temperature of the ionizable material, a flux of vaporized ionizable material is directed along the channel to a tip of the field ionization electrode structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for the generation of anionic and neutral particulate beams is described. The apparatus comprises a duct defined by walls having an inner surface capable of sustaining a temperature above an electron emission temperature of the surface, so as to negatively charge electrically neutral particles being passed through the duct when the surface is heated to the temperature; a heating element for heating the inner surface to the temperature; and an acceleration electrode for ion-optically controlling and manipulating the negatively charged particles into the anion beam. The apparatus may further comprise a protection electrode defining a protected region, which substantially prevent emitted electrons from escaping the protected region. Moreover, a system for analyzing substances ejected from a surface of a sample bombarded with an anion beam generated by the apparatus is described. The system further comprises a detector for detecting the substances once ejected of the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for the generation of anionic and neutral particulate beams is described. The apparatus comprises a duct defined by walls having an inner surface capable of sustaining a temperature above an electron emission temperature of the surface, so as to negatively charge electrically neutral particles being passed through the duct when the surface is heated to the temperature; a heating element for heating the inner surface to the temperature; and an acceleration electrode for ion-optically controlling and manipulating the negatively charged particles into the anion beam. The apparatus may further comprise a protection electrode defining a protected region, which substantially prevent emitted electrons from escaping the protected region. Moreover, a system for analyzing substances ejected from a surface of a sample bombarded with an anion beam generated by the apparatus is described. The system further comprises a detector for detecting the substances once ejected of the surface.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatii and methods for eyesight rehabilitation using optical devices having controllable optic power for improving the eyesight of a user. The optical device comprises liquid lenses having curvature that changes in accordance with the amount of transparent liquid confined within the lenses. Changes in the inclination of the users head causes, by physical means or sensors, the curvature of the liquid lens to change while rendering the liquid lenses autofocus features. Lenses made of electroactive material can be used also in order to control the optical power of the lens. According to the method used, the user wearing the lenses is challenged to look at objects positioned in different locations for a predetermined time. The time in which the lenses are focused is adjusted to be slightly longer than the natural accommodation of the users eyes when he turns from one object to the other.