Abstract

Although several authors have used the emission of droplets from liquid metal ion sources (LMIS) to explain other phenomena such as cluster ion emission, no model has so far been developed to describe the formation of these droplets. In particular, knowledge of the initial charges and sizes of the droplets is needed in order to predict cluster ion voltage deficits. The present paper sets out a simple model whereby droplets are considered to form from the break-off of the tip sphere from the LMIS apical jet. It is shown that this simple description can be used to derive qualitative variations of LMIS mass loss, Ga and In dimer ion voltage deficits and energy spreads (absolute agreement within a factor of about 2 is found) with current.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.