Efficient control of electrospray emission for colloid microthruster with laminated electrodes

In this paper, MEMS based colloid micro-thruster, feature by MEMS fabricated nozzle with a conductive pole inside, is developed by bulk silicon processing. This paper also investigates the effect of the laminated electrodes on the efficiency and stability for forming jets from the liquid meniscus. Unlike conventional colloid microtliruster, which is composed of conductive nozzle and single external extractor electrode, we offer more efficient mechanism for controllable operation based on layered electrodes and pole type nozzle. The layered electrodes allow the cone and jet formation, and acceleration of spray to be controlled by the voltage signals applied to individual electrodes. It is experimentally verified that the use of the pole type nozzle and the layered electrodes allow the stable and sustainable cone jet mode for an applied voltage as low as 800 V.