A new approach to simulating the operation of liquid metal ion sources

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Abstract
In order to simulate the electrically driven motion of conducting fluid occurring in the operation of liquid metal ion sources (LMIS’s), an equation system of electrohydrodynamics (EHD) has been set up, which includes gravity, viscosity, electrical stress, and surface tension. A set of numerical methods has been developed to compute the EHD equations. By means of a special technique, the MAC (marker and cell) method, the emitter shape of LMIS can be dynamically described without any assumptions. With the help of the numerical methods, a cylindrical fluid motion driven by electrical force and the liquid metal flow on a needle apex have been calculated. The results have thrown new light on the physical understanding of LMIS operation.

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