Characterization of a Single Emitter Passively Fed Electrospray Ion Source: Part I - Luminescence Imaging Analysis

• Published in: Journal of physics. D, Applied physics Applied physics, 2025-01
• Main Authors: Kerber, Thomas Victor, Allwine, Nathaniel J., Lemmer, Kristina, Taylor, Nicholas R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0022-3727; 1361-6463
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6463/ada6c4

Luminescence at the face of ionic liquid ion sources and nearby facility surfaces is a commonly reported radiative phenomenon that requires thorough examination. In this study, we present magnified images of a single emitter porous-media ionic liquid electrospray in profile, which provides spatial information on the origin of the luminescence. To determine what role facility interactions play in luminescence at the electrospray face, we varied the distance and material of a downstream beam target on which the ion plume terminated. The effect of applied emitter voltage on luminescence was also examined. Analysis of luminescence images and corresponding telemetry data demonstrate that the formation of luminescence near the emitter tip is not only a function of the surrounding test facility, but also dependent on the electrospray device, itself. The data also indicate the majority of luminescence observed within our experimental system is formed primarily from high-energy collisions between emitted propellant ions and propellant accumulated on the orifice of the extractor electrode.