High current liquid metal ion source using porous tungsten multiemitters

Tajmar, Martin; Vasiljevich, I.; Grienauer, W.

doi:10.1016/j.ultramic.2010.09.005

Cited by 31 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…The distance r * here may be interpreted as the extent of the meniscus over which fields of order E * act. As a result, the size of the area from which charge will emanate is π (r * ) 2 to first a approximation. The prevailing current is then of order I * ∼ π (r * ) 2 j * , where j * is a characteristic current density.…”

Section: A Emission Field Tip Sharpness and Characteristic Currentmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Molecular and atomic ions are extractable from the surface of an electrified liquid through the agency of a strong electric field. This phenomenon serves as the foundation for the liquid metal ion sources (LMIS) that have found use in a variety of applications ranging from electric micropropulsion [1,2], etching and deposition [3], and analytical instrumentation [4]. Such broad technological utility has led to high levels of both empirical [5] and theoretically [6] development.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Electrohydrodynamics of an ionic liquid meniscus during evaporation of ions in a regime of high electric field

2019

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Numerical investigations are presented for an ionic liquid meniscus undergoing evaporation of ions in a regime of high electric field. A detailed model is developed to simulate the behavior of a stationary meniscus attached to a liquid feed system. The latter serves as a proxy for commonly utilized electrospray emitters such as needles and capillary tubes. Two solution families are identified for prototype liquid analogous to the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMI-BF4). The first belongs to a regime of low electric field in which the meniscus is blunt and does not emit charge. The second belongs to a regime of high electric field in which a conelike meniscus produces charge from a sharp tip. Electrohydrodynamic features of the meniscus in this regime are presented. These reveal that the meniscus is Stokesian and hydrostatic and governed by conduction. The applied electric field influences both the shape of the meniscus and the current that it produces while the impedance of the feed system-which must be above a threshold value in order to ensure that the current, and therefore the flow, remains below a maximum value-influences the meniscus current but not the macroscopic shape. In general, this shape deviates from Taylor's idealized cone.

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Section: A Emission Field Tip Sharpness and Characteristic Currentmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrohydrodynamics of an ionic liquid meniscus during evaporation of ions in a regime of high electric field

2019

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“…13(a). 80 Nevertheless, silicon technology is the current state of the art in microfabricated electrospray thruster research. 84 Externally wetted microfabricated emitter tips have recently been reported.…”

Section: -13mentioning

confidence: 99%

Space micropropulsion systems for Cubesats and small satellites: From proximate targets to furthermost frontiers

Levchenko

Bazaka

Ding

et al. 2018

Applied Physics Reviews

271

104

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Rapid evolution of miniaturized, automatic, robotized, function-centered devices has redefined space technology, bringing closer the realization of most ambitious interplanetary missions and intense near-Earth space exploration. Small unmanned satellites and probes are now being launched in hundreds at a time, resurrecting a dream of satellite constellations, i.e., wide, all-covering networks of small satellites capable of forming universal multifunctional, intelligent platforms for global communication, navigation, ubiquitous data mining, Earth observation, and many other functions, which was once doomed by the extraordinary cost of such systems. The ingression of novel nanostructured materials provided a solid base that enabled the advancement of these affordable systems in aspects of power, instrumentation, and communication. However, absence of efficient and reliable thrust systems with the capacity to support precise maneuvering of small satellites and CubeSats over long periods of deployment remains a real stumbling block both for the deployment of large satellite systems and for further exploration of deep space using a new generation of spacecraft. The last few years have seen tremendous global efforts to develop various miniaturized space thrusters, with great success stories. Yet, there are critical challenges that still face the space technology. These have been outlined at an inaugural International Workshop on Micropropulsion and Cubesats, MPCS-2017, a joint effort between Plasma Sources and Application Centre/Space Propulsion Centre (Singapore) and the Micropropulsion and Nanotechnology Lab, the G. Washington University (USA) devoted to miniaturized space propulsion systems, and hosted by CNR-Nanotec—P.Las.M.I. lab in Bari, Italy. This focused review aims to highlight the most promising developments reported at MPCS-2017 by leading world-reputed experts in miniaturized space propulsion systems. Recent advances in several major types of small thrusters including Hall thrusters, ion engines, helicon, and vacuum arc devices are presented, and trends and perspectives are outlined.

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“…We, therefore, decided to design a multitip emitter using porous tungsten needles in order to combine the advantage of high electrical impedance with excellent stability. The emitter is manufactured using the micropowder injection moulding technique (µ-PIM) [13,14]. A special feedstock is prepared using tungsten micropowders and the needle structure is formed using dedicated moulding tools.…”

Section: Multitip Feep Thrustermentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Electric and Chemical Microthrusters

Scharlemann

2011

International Journal of Aerospace Engineering

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The increasing application of microsatellites (from 10 kg up to 100 kg) as well as CubeSats for a rising number of various missions demands the development of miniaturized propulsion systems. Fotec and The University of Applied Sciences at Wiener Neustadt is developing a number of micropropulsion technologies including both electric and chemical thrusters targeting high performance at small scales. Our electric propulsion developments include a series of FEEP (field emission electric propulsion) thrusters, of which the thrust ranges from µN to mN level. The thrusters are highly integrated into clusters of indium liquid-metal-ion sources that can provide ultralow thrust noise and long-term stability. We are also developing a micro PPT thruster that enables pointing capabilities for CubeSats. For chemical thrusters, we are developing novel micromonopropellant thrusters with several hundred mN as well as a 1-3 N bipropellant microrocket engine using green propellants and high specific impulse performance. This paper will give an overview of our micropropulsion developments at Fotec, highlighting performance as well as possible applications.

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High current liquid metal ion source using porous tungsten multiemitters

Cited by 31 publications

References 5 publications

Electrohydrodynamics of an ionic liquid meniscus during evaporation of ions in a regime of high electric field

Electrohydrodynamics of an ionic liquid meniscus during evaporation of ions in a regime of high electric field

Space micropropulsion systems for Cubesats and small satellites: From proximate targets to furthermost frontiers

Development of Electric and Chemical Microthrusters

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