Electric-field-induced ion evaporation from dielectric liquid

A direct proof of ion field evaporation from dielectric liquids is presented. The flux of sodium ions ejected from the surface of an electrospray of formamide is measured using time-of-flight and retarding potential techniques. The electric field at the emitting surface is varied through the electrospraying parameters. We find that the evaporated ion current is a very steep function of the electric field.