Engineering topics

Chutjian, Ara

Publications and source records attributed to Chutjian, Ara.

At least 37 records · Page 2

NASA NTRS1997

Method for Trace Oxygen Detection

Trace levels of molecular oxygen are measured by introducing a gas containing the molecular oxygen into a target zone, and impacting the molecular oxygen in the target zone with electrons at the O(-) resonant energy level for dissociative electron attachment to produce O(-) ions. Preferably, the electrons have an energy of about 4 to about 10 eV. The amount of O(-) ions produced is measured, and is correlated with the molecular oxygen content in the target zone. The technique is effective for measuring levels of oxygen below 50 ppb. and even less than 1 ppb. The amount of O(-) can be measured in a quadrupole mass analyzer. Best results are obtained when the electrons have an energy of about 6 to about 8 eV. and preferably about 6.8 eV. The method can be used for other species by selecting the appropriate electron energy level.

Man, Kim Fung↗

NASA NTRS1997

Miniature quadrupole mass spectrometer array

The present invention provides a minature quadrupole mass spectrometer array for the separation of ions, comprising a first pair of parallel, planar, nonmagnetic conducting rods each having an axis of symmetry, a second pair of planar, nonmagnetic conducting rods each having an axis of symmetry parallel to said first pair of rods and disposed such that a line perpendicular to each of said first axes of symmetry and a line perpendicular to each of said second axes of symmetry bisect each other and form a generally 90 degree angle. A nonconductive top positioning plate is positioned generally perpendicular to the first and second pairs of rods and has an aperture for ion entrance along an axis equidistant from each axis of symmetry of each of the parallel rods, a nonconductive bottom positioning plate is generally parallel to the top positioning plate and has an aperture for ion exit centered on an axis equidistant from each axis of symmetry of each of the parallel rods, means for maintaining a direct current voltage between the first and second pairs of rods, and means for applying a radio frequency voltage to the first and second pairs of rods.

Chutjian, Ara↗

NASA NTRS1996

Ballistic Mass And Velocity Analyzer

Proposed device for measuring distribution of masses and velocities of ions in plasma or ion beam of general type denoted variously as mass, velocity, and energy analyzers. Yields indications of charge-to-mass ratios and velocities; from these quantities, one computes masses and energies if one also either measures charges of ions by other means or else makes realistic assumption that each ion carries small number (usually 1) of fundamental units of electric charge. In comparison with older devices of this type, device smaller, and operates faster, yielding simultaneous indications of both charge-to-mass ratios and velocities.

Chutjian, Ara↗

NASA NTRS1996

Isotopic Analysis and Evolved Gases

Precise measurements of the chemical, elemental, and isotopic composition of planetary surface material and gases, and observed variations in these compositions, can contribute significantly to our knowledge of the source(s), ages, and evolution of solar system materials. The analyses discussed in this paper are mostly made by mass spectrometers or some other type of mass analyzer, and address three broad areas of interest: (1) atmospheric composition - isotopic, elemental, and molecular, (2) gases evolved from solids, and (3) solids. Current isotopic data on nine elements, mostly from in situ analysis, but also from meteorites and telescopic observations are summarized. Potential instruments for isotopic analysis of lunar, Martian, Venusian, Mercury, and Pluto surfaces, along with asteroid, cometary and icy satellites, surfaces are discussed.

Swindle, Timothy D.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Measuring Traces Of Oxygen By Resonant Electron Attachment

Method of detecting trace amounts of oxygen based on dissociative attachment of electrons to oxygen molecules followed by measurement of resulting flux of negative oxygen ions in mass spectrometer. High sensitivity achieved in method by exploiting resonance in dissociative attachment of electrons to oxygen molecules: electron-attachment cross section rises to high peak at incident electron kinetic energy of 6.2 eV. Relative concentrations below 1 ppb detected. Devised to increase sensitivity of detection of oxygen in processing chambers in which oxygen regarded as contaminant; for example, chambers used in making semiconductor devices and in growing high-purity crystals.

Man, Kin Fung↗

NASA NTRS1995

Higher-Sensitivity Ionization Trace-Species Detector

Electron source and electron optics of reversal electron-attachment detector modified to increase sensitivity. Original version described in "High-Sensitivity Ionization Trace-Species Detector" (NPO-17596). Used to detect molecules of particular chemical species of interest (e.g., narcotics, explosives, or organic wastes) present in air at low concentrations, and known to attach extremely low-energy electrons. Apparatus does this by ionizing molecules from sampled atmosphere, then detecting ions of species of interest. Detector features indirectly heated spherical cathode and redesigned electron optics, together, deliver more electrons at low kinetic energy to reversal plane, R. Greater electron current generates more ions for detection.

Boumsellek, Said↗

NASA NTRS1994

Electron reversal ionizer for detection of trace species using a spherical cathode

A reversal electron, high-current ionizer capable of focusing a beam of electrons to a reversal region employs an indirectly heated cathode having a concave emitting surface of width of W less than 2r, where r is the radius of curvature and preferably a ratio of width to radius approximately equal to one for optimum high current for a given cathode width.

Boumsellek, Said↗

NASA NTRS1994

Miniature Reversal Electron-Attachment Detector

Miniature reversal electron-attachment detector (miniREAD) enables direct injection of air or vapor at atmospheric pressure from monitored area into mass-spectrometric instrument to detect explosives, narcotics, or other substances, vapors of which suspected of being present in low concentrations. In comparison with older reversal electron-attachment detector, miniREAD simpler in design; more rugged; and easier to build, repair, and maintain. In addition, probably more sensitive.

Chutjian, Ara↗

NASA NTRS1993

Gridded electron reversal ionizer

A gridded electron reversal ionizer forms a three dimensional cloud of zero or near-zero energy electrons in a cavity within a filament structure surrounding a central electrode having holes through which the sample gas, at reduced pressure, enters an elongated reversal volume. The resultant negative ion stream is applied to a mass analyzer. The reduced electron and ion space-charge limitations of this configuration enhances detection sensitivity for material to be detected by electron attachment, such as narcotic and explosive vapors. Positive ions may be generated by generating electrons having a higher energy, sufficient to ionize the target gas and pulsing the grid negative to stop the electron flow and pulsing the extraction aperture positive to draw out the positive ions.

Chutjian, Ara↗

NASA NTRS1992

Combined Velocity/Charge-To-Mass-Ratio Analyzer

Instrument analyzes ions according to velocity and ratio of mass to electric charge. State-of-the-art combination of two instruments: time-of-flight analyzer and electrostatic analyzer functioning as mass spectrometer. Features include compactness, light weight, and low power. Terrestrial versions useful in chemical analysis, chromatography, and analysis of plasmas.

Chutjian, Ara↗

NASA NTRS1992

Electron attachment to molecules at ultralow electron energies

Experimental techniques, both single-collision and multiple-collision, for studying electron attachment to molecules at energies below 0.1 eV are reviewed. Recent attachment results in HI, DI, F2, SF6, CCl4, and CFCl3 are examined from the point of view of threshold behavior (s- or p-wave), threshold energetics, and the temperature dependence of the attachment rate constant. An interesting application of the s-wave phenomenon to trace-species detection is given.

Chutjian, Ara↗

NASA NTRS1990

High-Voltage Square-Wave Generator

Fast switching circuit puts out rectangular pulses of order of kilovolt or greater at typical repetition frequencies as high as hundreds of kilohertz and with rise times as short as 50 ns. Designed around power metal oxide/semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFET's). Optically isolated power MOSFET's in series rapidly switch output between high voltages V(sub 1) and V(sub 2). Used to supply power to pulsed laser or to modulate beam of charged particles in laboratory experiment or industrial process.

Bernius, Mark T.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Reversal electron attachment ionizer for detection of trace species

An in-line reversal electron, high-current ionizer capable of focusing a beam of electrons to a reversal region and executing a reversal of said electrons, such that the electrons possess zero kinetic energy at the point of reversal, may be used to produce both negative and positive ions. A sample gas is introduced at the point of electron reversal for low energy electron-(sample gas) molecule attachment with high efficiency. The attachment process produces negative ions from the sample gas, which includes species present in trace (minute) amounts. These ions are extracted efficiently and directed to a mass analyzer where they may be detected and identified. The generation and detection of positive ions is accomplished in a similar fashion with minimal adjustment to potentials applied to the apparatus.

Bernius, Mark T.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Surface modification using low energy ground state ion beams

A method of effecting modifications at the surfaces of materials using low energy ion beams of known quantum state, purity, flux, and energy is presented. The ion beam is obtained by bombarding ion-generating molecules with electrons which are also at low energy. The electrons used to bombard the ion generating molecules are separated from the ions thus obtained and the ion beam is directed at the material surface to be modified. Depending on the type of ion generating molecules used, different ions can be obtained for different types of surface modifications such as oxidation and diamond film formation. One area of application is in the manufacture of semiconductor devices from semiconductor wafers.

Chutjian, Ara↗

NASA NTRS1990

High-Sensitivity Ionization Trace-Species Detector

Features include high ion-extraction efficiency, compactness, and light weight. Improved version of previous ionization detector features in-line geometry that enables extraction of almost every ion from region of formation. Focusing electrodes arranged and shaped into compact system of space-charge-limited reversal electron optics and ion-extraction optics. Provides controllability of ionizing electron energies, greater efficiency of ionization, and nearly 100 percent ion-collection efficiency.

Bernius, Mark T.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Improved high-voltage, high-frequency square-wave generator

This paper describes the design and operation of a prototype high-voltage full-floating high-frequency square-wave generator which is an improved version of the generator developed by Bernius and Chutjian (1989). The present design overcomes possible momentary simultaneous ON states in the MOSFET configuration and is less susceptible to deleterious effects caused by the component aging and replacements with nonidentical parts. The circuit performs well over a wide voltage and frequency range, until a limit is imposed by the operating characteristics of the active MOSFET elements. Circuit diagrams are presented.

Bernius, Mark T.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Application of reversal electron attachment for ultrasensitive detection of thermal electron-attaching molecules - CCl4 and C6H5O2

A standard gas-dilution method was used to determine the selective response of the reversal electron attachment detector to carbon tetrachloride concentrations in nitrogen. Data are provided that determine the lowest concentration of sample detectable with the present instrumental configuration as being below 1.0 part per trillion by volume. The incorporation of a 90-deg electrostatic deflector with the quadrupole mass spectrometer is shown to be vital, and with it, negative-ion quadrupole mass spectrometry is used to characterize the ionization process. Observations are also made of the reversal electron attachment response to nitrobenzene. The analytical potential of reversal electron capture negative-ion mass spectrometry is examined, and areas for future development are discussed.

Bernius, Mark T.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Pulsed, high-current, in-line reversal electron attachment detector

A new, pulsed, high-current, in-line reversal electron attachment ionizer/detector is described. The ionizer is capable of delivering a beam of electrons into an electrostatic mirror field to form a planar wall of electrons having zero kinetic energy. Electron attachment to a molecular target at the reversal point produces either parent or fragment negative ions through a zero-energy (s-wave) state. The atomic or molecular ion is pulsed out of the attachment region approximately 2 microsec after the electrons are pulsed off, and focused onto the entrance plane of a quadrupole mass analyzer. The sensitivity of the apparatus is preliminarily assessed, and its higher-energy behavior with regard to molecular attachment and ionization is described.

Bernius, Mark T.↗