Field evaporation ion sources based on alloys and compounds

Results of experiments aimed at the creation of ion sources employing alloys as materials for field ion emitters are presented. Using alloys and complex compounds as emitter materials, it is possible to obtain ion sources for elements, from which it is difficult or even impossible to make emitters directly. The emitter surface can be enriched by some component of an alloy so as to obtain a source of its ions even if the content of this element in the alloy is as low as fractions of a percent.