Particle size selection in post-spark dusty plasma in non-uniform electric field

We report a strong size-selective effect of the non-uniform externalelectric field on unitary chargednanoparticles in a residualdusty plasma generated bysparkdischarge. It has been found that the field influences the outcome particle size distribution function considerably by expelling smaller particles out of the residualplasma cloud so that they cannot neutralize or agglomerate. Meantime, larger particles being dragged by theplasma cloud neutralize and disappear at walls; therefore, the particle size distribution function shifts to small sizes. We give a simple theory explaining the field effect and suggest its application for apatterning technique.

Source: Applied Physics Letters - November 8, 2016 Category: Physics Authors: Woongsik Kim, Peter V. Pikhitsa and Mansoo Choi Source Type: research