Charge spreading structure for charge-emission apparatus

摘要

An apparatus includes a generator electrode, a discharge electrode that has an aperture, a dielectric structure between the generator electrode and the discharge electrode, and a charge spreading structure. The dielectric structure includes a charging region under the aperture. The charge spreading structure is on a surface of the charging region facing the aperture. The charge spreading structure is electrically disconnected from the generator electrode and the discharge electrode and spreads electrical charge carriers over underlying areas of the charging region.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a generator electrode; a discharge electrode having an aperture; a dielectric structure between the generator electrode and the discharge electrode, wherein the dielectric structure comprises a charging region under the aperture; and an electrically conductive charge spreading structure on a surface of the dielectric structure above the charging region, wherein the charge spreading structure comprises a top surface that faces the aperture and lateral edges that extend from the top surface to the surface of the dielectric structure, the top surface and the lateral edges are exposed to ambient pressure conditions, and the charge spreading structure is electrically isolated from the generator electrode and the discharge electrode.