ISSN:
1432-0630
Keywords:
79.70+q
;
41.80.Gg
;
07.80.+x
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract We investigate the field and temperature dependence of the rate of ion formation by important mechanisms in Liquid Metal Ion Sources (LMIS). In addition to field evaporation and field ionization of thermally evaporated neutrals we identify a third mechanism, thermal-field evaporation, which is intermediate between the other two mechanisms. Field (or thermal-field) evaporation is found to be dominant in the normal operating regime of LMIS in agreement with the conclusions of Prewett et al. A jet-like protrusion model of LMIS shape, which is consistent with direct observations, allows high temperatures to be reached with a reasonable power input to the source. Thus a small, but sometimes important, contribution to the total ion current from field ionization of thermally evaporated atoms is expected.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00631124
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