title: Reprint of: High current liquid metal ion source using porous tungsten multiemitters.
abstract: We recently developed an indium Liquid-Metal-Ion-Source that can emit currents from sub-μA up to several mA. It is based on a porous tungsten crown structure with 28 individual emitters, which is manufactured using Micro-Powder Injection Molding (μPIM) and electrochemical etching. The emitter combines the advantages of internal capillary feeding with excellent emission properties due to micron-size tips. Significant progress was made on the homogeneity of the emission over its current-voltage characteristic as well as on investigating its long-term stability. This LMIS seems very suitable for space propulsion as well as for micro/nano manufacturing applications with greatly increased milling/drilling speeds. This paper summarizes the latest developments on our porous multiemitters with respect to manufacturing, emission properties and long-term testing.
authors.affiliation: Space Propulsion & Advanced Concepts, Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, A-2444 Seibersdorf, Austria.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tajmar
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vasiljevich
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Grienauer