Multiple-tip liquid-metal field emitter in the explosive mode of operation

Small lifetime caused by solid tip disruption from pulse and accumulation of these damages is the principle drawback of multiple-tip solid emitters, which are widely used in modem scientific and industrial devices. In comparison with solid tip, emitter of liquid tip restores its initial form after explosion because the tip's radius is determined by balance between ponderomotive forces of applied electric field and surface tension of liquid metal. The latter circumstance causes practically unlimited lifetime in the explosive and field emission modes operation of multiple-tip liquid emitter by sufficient reserve of metal.