Abstract: A dispenser for supplying metal vapor to an ion source. The metal is provided in a capsule which may be broken to release the metal by turning a knob which causes a capsule housing to move to the right, thus causing the capsule to break against a piston member. The piston member communicates with a conduit which in turn communicates with the associated ion source, partly shown in the drawing. A heating mantle is provided to vaporize the metal in the housing so that it can pass from the dispenser through a conduit, to the ion source.

Abstract: An ion source comprising an electrode consisting of at least one body made of a material such as to be perfectly wetted by a liquid material ions of which are to be emitted by the source and not corrodible by that material, and having a termination the radius of curvature of which is such that a jet of the liquid material will form and be anchored to the termination of the electrode under the influence of an electric field, means for applying the ionizing electric field and a reservoir for the material ions of which are to be emitted by the source.