Charge neutralization of dust particles in a plasma with negative ions

Journal Article · Mon Aug 28 00:00:00 EDT 2006 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2338790· OSTI ID:20883190

Merlino, Robert L; Kim, Su-Hyun ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 (United States)

Charging of dust grains in a plasma with negative ions is studied experimentally. When the relatively mobile electrons are attached to heavy negative ions, their tendency to charge the grains negatively is reduced. In a plasma in which a substantial fraction of the electrons are eliminated (positive ion/negative ion plasma), the grain charge can be reduced in magnitude nearly to zero ('decharging' or charge neutralization). If the positive ions are lighter than the negative ions, dust grains having a small net positive charge can be produced.

• OSTI ID: 20883190
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 89, Issue 9; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2338790; (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANIONS
CATIONS
COLLISIONS
DUSTS
ELECTRONS
PARTICLES
PLASMA