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We characterize an efficient optically heated neutral atom source for ion trapping. We observe loading rates of up to 24⁢(3) ⁢s−1 with heating powers below 85 mW, and demonstrate loading of a single ion in under 30 s with 41.4(4) mW of optical power in a room-temperature ion-trap system with an ionization probability of 1.50⁢(5) ×10−5. We calibrate a thermal model for the source’s internal temperature by imaging the fluorescence of a collimated flux of neutral calcium that effuses from the source at various optical heating powers. We show that the thermal performance of this source is mainly limited by radiative losses. We explore the effect of second-stage photoionization laser power on the loading rate, and identify a path beyond the loading rates reported in this study. We predict that this source is also well suited to a wide range of metals used in ion trapping.