What do you know about ion thrusters?

So I am planning to design and construct a small scale ion thruster for an independent study class i am taking at my local high school. I have spent many hours researching the subject, so i feel like i know a little something about the function and physics behind an ion thruster. i am curious to what information you guys can provide to me about:

- safety (this is of the up most importance to me)

- construction of a hollow cathode (energy requirements: what Voltage & Amperes needed)

- info about the ring magnets that contain the plasma (specifically the shape of their fields within the ionization chamber)

- general info that anyone would like to add about an ion thruster

sorry in advance if i have made this topic in the wrong spot or ask about this information it the incorrect format.

I am new to posting the the physics forums

And of course thank you for any and all information/help :)