The dynamical effects in liquid-metal ion sources

It has been shown, that low-frequency current oscillations in liquid-metal ion sources are determined by the process of microdroplet decay of the jet, injected from the top of the Taylor cone. This decay is caused by the development of the Rayleigh instability on the jet surface. As charged drops are being accumulated in the drift space, weakening of the electric field on the jet top and Taylor cone surface is taking place, that causes the jet destruction. After the drops got out from the drift space, the jet is restored and the process of microdroplet decay is repeated. Calculation of the frequency of low-frequency oscillations depending upon the current for metals with different values of the typical field of ion evaporation and surface tension coefficient (gallium, tin, gold) has been carried out.