Abstract: A plasma micro-thruster, including: an elongate and substantially non-conductive tube having a first end to receive a supply of propellant gas, and an open second end to act as an exhaust; first, second, and third electrodes extending circumferentially around the tube and being mutually spaced along a longitudinal axis of the tube, the third electrode being longitudinally interposed between the first and second electrodes; wherein the tube and the first, second and third electrodes are configured to generate a plasma from propellant gas flowing though the tube from the first end of the tube when the third electrode receives radio frequency power and the first and second electrodes are electrically grounded relative to the third electrode, such that the expansion of the plasma from the open end of the tube generates a corresponding thrust.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ion implantation source for producing a plasma with an electron cyclotron resonance zone including a chamber for plasma processing and having at least one extraction slit, said extraction slit situated at a first end of the chamber; at least one antenna encircling the chamber for prodding a radio frequency induced electromagnetic field to generate an inductive/helicon plasma within the chamber; a plurality of magnetic dipoles at the periphery of the chamber; and at least one magnetic dipole at a second end of the chamber; the magnetic dipoles at the periphery and second end of the chamber having their fields directed towards the interior of the chamber, wherein the fields are adjacent to the periphery and the second end of the chamber and keep the plasma spaced from the periphery and the second end of the chamber.