Evidence for Nanoparticles in Microwave-Generated Fireballs Observed by Synchrotron X-Ray Scattering
- P.A.L.M.S., U.M.R. No. 6627 du C.N.R.S., Universite de Rennes I, 35042 Rennes Cedex (France)
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, BP-220, 38043 Grenoble Cedex (France)
- Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978 (Israel)
The small-angle x-ray scattering method has been applied to study fireballs ejected into the air from molten hot spots in borosilicate glass by localized microwaves [V. Dikhtyar and E. Jerby, Phys. Rev. Lett. 96 045002 (2006)]. The fireball's particle size distribution, density, and decay rate in atmospheric pressure were measured. The results show that the fireballs contain particles with a mean size of {approx}50 nm with average number densities on the order of {approx}10{sup 9}. Hence, fireballs can be considered as a dusty plasma which consists of an ensemble of charged nanoparticles in the plasma volume. This finding is likened to the ball-lightning phenomenon explained by the formation of an oxidizing particle network liberated by lightning striking the ground [J. Abrahamson and J. Dinniss, Nature (London) 403, 519 (2000)].
- OSTI ID:
- 21024764
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review Letters, Vol. 100, Issue 6; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.065001; (c) 2008 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0031-9007
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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