Mechanisms of liquid metal ion source operation

A justification for the Taylor cone shape of a liquid metal ion source (LMIS) is given for the case of nonideal electrodes. Arguments are presented for the formation of a jet at the end of the Taylor cone in terms of hydrodynamic and flow considerations rather than in terms of the need to overcome the excessive space charge at the end of very small diameter protuberances at the apex of Taylor cones.