Abstract
The plasma-induced charge of non-spherical microparticles is a crucial parameter in complex plasma physics, aerosol science and astrophysics. Yet, the literature describes this charge by two competing models, neither of which has been experimentally verified or refuted. Here we offer experimental proof that the charge on a two-particle cluster (doublet) in the spatial afterglow of a low-pressure plasma equals the charge that would be obtained by the smallest enclosing sphere and that it should therefore not be based on its geometrical capacitance but rather on the capacitance of its smallest enclosing sphere. To support this conclusion, the size, mass and charge of single particles (singlets) and doublets are measured with high precision. The measured ratio between the plasma-afterglow-induced charges on doublets and singlets is compared to both models and shows perfect agreement with the predicted ratio using the capacitance of the smallest enclosing sphere, while being significantly dissimilar to the predicted ratio based on the particle’s geometrical capacitance.
Highlights
The plasma-induced charge of non-spherical microparticles is a crucial parameter in complex plasma physics, aerosol science and astrophysics
The charge and charging of nonspherical or clustered nanoto-micrometer-sized particles in partly ionized media is a key parameter in research fields such as complex plasma physics, astrophysics, and aerosol science
In complex plasma physics, studying the fundamental interaction between particles and plasma, the nonspherical particle charge drives the coagulation and aggregation of particles that are synthesized within the plasma discharge[1,2]
Summary
The results of this paper are divided into two sections: the insitu determined cluster sizes and the presentation and comparison of the measured charge distributions of singlets and doublets. We present measurements and analysis of the vertical settling velocity vy, from which the particle mass and cluster size are ascertained. The variation in individual particle mass was obtained from the measured settling velocity vy using the neutral drag described in section 4 (Eq (3)). These images show the presence of singlets, doublets, and triplets among the particles injected. In addition to cluster size detection, variations in particle mass were taken into account based on the vertical settling velocity. The uncertainty in this ratio was determined from the confidence interval of the parameters of the fitted distributions, as will be discussed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
