Vacuum compatible 3D printed ion optics

Conductive plastic filaments for use with 3D printers are now commercially available and offer an attractive low cost option to professionally machined metal ion optics. We have tested these new filaments by using them to print an ion beam deflection plate. The plate was then tested for its vacuum suitability and compared to both a metal plate and simulated (SIMION) results for performance. High vacuum was maintained and the conductive plastic plate was effective at deflecting a Rb ion beam. The results are suggestive that conductive materials will provide cheaper and easier to manufacture parts that are still suitable for use in UHV experimental setups.