Observation of individual particles and Coulombic solids in a microdischarge

P. C. John, D. J. Wheeler, J. W. Frame, J. G. Eden

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Spherical particles approx. 10-35 μm in diameter are intentionally introduced into a cylindrical microdischarge device fabricated in Al or Si. Having a diameter of 400 μm, this device is viewed along its axis with a microscope and charge-coupled device camera. Individual particles suspended in discharges in Ne are readily observable and form stable spatial patterns (in the plane transverse to the microdischarge axis) determined by the interplay of electrostatic and ion drag forces. Microdischarges may well provide an ideal testbed for exploring the application of well-characterized particles as in situ probes of plasmas.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)48-49
Number of pages2
JournalIEEE Transactions on Plasma Science
Volume27
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nuclear and High Energy Physics
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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