The shape and surface of an electrospray ion source explain why it emits multiple beams

What is it about?

Porous electrosprays are tiny needles made of porous materials and filled with molten salt that emit beams of ions when electrified. We model how the shape of the needle and how pools of liquid on the surface change where these beams emit from and how many of them form.

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Photo by Andy Hermawan on Unsplash

Photo by Andy Hermawan on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Porous electrosprays are exciting when used as microscopic rockets; a small number put together are enough to allow a spacecraft to make tiny adjustments to its position, but lots of them together could potentially be enough force to change orbits. Electrosprays can fail earlier than anticipated when their propellant gets where it's not supposed to, and having multiple beams increases the chances that this happens. So, predicting where and when these beams develop is important to making these devices last long enough to support ambitious space missions.