Electron lenses

Abstract

The optical properties and practical realization of ion and electron lenses are reviewed. Attention has chiefly been directed to electrostatic and magnetic electron lenses of rotational or planar symmetry, especially to those which seem to offer advantages in scientific instruments. Various competing methods of calculating the optical properties are analysed in some detail, with particular emphasis on the mathematical assumptions involved and their relevance to the real lens structure. For magnetic lenses extensive data are provided concerning lens properties. The actual performance of contemporary magnetic lens designs, including flat helical lenses and superconducting lenses, is compared with the ultimate performance that is physically possible. Some of the important developments that have taken place in electrostatic lenses, both as separate imaging elements and as an integral part of ion sources and electron guns of extremely high brightness, are described. The review concludes with an attempt to identify those computational methods that are most likely to be valuable in the future.