Ion source and method for operating the same

Abstract

What is disclosed is an ion source, in particular an ion thruster for propelling a spacecraft. The ion source comprises a reservoir for a liquid metal, an emitter with a central axis and in fluid communication with the reservoir for emitting ions of liquid metal drawn from the reservoir, an annular extractor coaxial to and facing the emitter for accelerating the ions away, a voltage source for effecting said emitting and accelerating, and a chassis mounting the reservoir, the emitter and the extractor. On a side facing the emitter, the extractor has a structure for absorbing liquid metal by capillary forces. Also disclosed is a method for operating the ion source.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.