US 12,272,513 B2
Electron emitter structure, external photoelectric effect emitter, particle collecting device, tunnel surface emitter, semiconductor- based direct emitter and liquid ioniser comprising same, gas sensor comprising an emitter or emitter structure, method for generating free electrons, and method for collecting particles
Theodor Doll, Isernhagen (DE)
Assigned to DBT GMBH, Wuerzburg (DE)
Appl. No. 17/926,139
Filed by DBT GMBH, Wuerzburg (DE)
PCT Filed May 17, 2021, PCT No. PCT/DE2021/100436
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Mar. 21, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/233501, PCT Pub. Date Nov. 25, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2020 113 351.0 (DE), filed on May 18, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0266134 A1, Aug. 8, 2024
Int. Cl. H01J 1/34 (2006.01); G01N 27/64 (2006.01); H01J 3/02 (2006.01)
CPC H01J 1/34 (2013.01) [G01N 27/64 (2013.01); H01J 3/021 (2013.01); H01J 2201/3425 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An external photoelectric effect emitter comprising:
an electron emitter structure comprising,
an electron emission layer comprising a mixture of metals so as to be atmospherically stable, the electron emission layer being arranged to have a first side and a second side, and
an electron accelerating structure arranged on the first side of the electron emission layer, the electron accelerating structure comprising at least one electrode which is electrically insulated from the electron accelerating structure so as to form an acceleration path which is configured to allow electrons which are released from the electron emission layer to be selectively accelerated upon generation of an adjustable electric field,
wherein,
the acceleration path has a length 1 of from 10 nm to 1 μm;
at least one UV LED which is configured,
to release electrons from the electron emission layer, and
to emit electromagnetic radiation at least partially onto the electron emission layer; and
a substrate which is arranged on the second side of the electron emission layer,
wherein,
the at least one UV LED is configured to the emit the electromagnetic radiation at least partially onto the second side of the electron emission layer and is arranged at least one of outside and inside the substrate, and
the substrate is at least partially transparent in an emission wavelength range of the at least one UV LED.