Space-charge effects in liquid metal ion sources

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Abstract
The space-charge problem is investigated for liquid metal ion sources, using analytic methods and idealised geometries. For a given current, the space-charge reduction in the electric field at the ion-emitting apex of the liquid anode depends on the apex radius, r0, assumed. The smaller r0, the greater is the extent of this field reduction-although, even at the lowest observable currents of approximately 1 mu A, r0 does not have to be particularly small for substantial reduction in the apex field to occur. However, the effects of space-charges are expected to diminish for ion sources of high flow impedance.

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