Engineering topics

Morfill, G E

Publications and source records attributed to Morfill, G E.

At least 19 records

DOE OSTI2012

Effect of polarization force on the Mach cones in a complex plasma

We report the modifications of compressional Mach cone propagation characteristics due to the polarization force acting on micron size dust particles embedded in a non-uniform plasma. We solve the hydrodynamic fluid equations for highly charged dust particles to investigate the Mach cone by incorporating the polarization force in the momentum equation and observe the structural change on lateral wakes at different polarization force for a given Mach number and Epstein drag force. We also notice that the maximum amplitude of normalized dust density perturbation decreases with the increase of polarization interaction when the other parameters remain constant.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2012

Ion distribution function in a plasma with uniform electric field

For a homogeneous partially ionized plasma subject to a uniform electric field E, several methods and models are used to calculate the distribution function f(v) for ions subject to charge-exchange collisions. The exact solution for f(v), based on the energy-dependent cross section for Ar, is obtained by Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. This is compared to the MC results for f(v), based on either a constant cross section {sigma} or a constant collision frequency {nu}. The constant-{sigma} model is found to accurately represent f(v) for any value of E, whereas the constant-{nu} results are qualitatively incorrect for large fields. Under the constant-{sigma} assumption, a simple, easily solvable ordinary differential equation is obtained which reproduces the MC results with good accuracy.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2012

On the heterogeneous character of the heartbeat instability in complex (dusty) plasmas

A hypothesis on the physical mechanism generating the heartbeat instability in complex (dusty) plasmas is presented. It is suggested that the instability occurs due to the periodically repeated critical transformation on the boundary between the microparticle-free area (void) and the complex plasma. The critical transformation is supposed to be analogous to the formation of the sheath in the vicinity of an electrode. The origin of the transformation is the loss of the electrons and ions on microparticles surrounding the void. We have shown that this hypothesis is consistent with the experimentally measured stability parameter range, with the evolution of the plasma glow intensity and microparticle dynamics during the instability, as well as with the observed excitation of the heartbeat instability by an intensity-modulated laser beam (inducing the modulation of plasma density).

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2012

Microparticles deep in the plasma sheath: Coulomb 'explosion'

A cloud of microparticles was trapped deep in the sheath of a radio-frequency (rf) discharge, very close to the lower (grounded) electrode of the plasma chamber. This was achieved by employing a specifically designed rf-driven segment integrated in the lower electrode, which provided an additional confinement compressing the cloud to a very high density. After switching the rf-driven segment off, the cloud 'exploded' due to mutual interparticle repulsion. By combining a simple theoretical model with different numerical simulation methods, some basic properties of complex plasmas in this highly non-equilibrium regime were determined.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2012

Effective dipole moment for the mode coupling instability: Mapping of self-consistent wake models

The theory of the mode coupling instability operating in two-dimensional plasma crystals is generalized, by employing the linear plasma response formalism to describe the interparticle interactions self-consistently. In this approach, the underlying ion distribution function is calculated from first principles. Subthermal and suprathermal regimes of the ion flow are considered. A mapping procedure is proposed, which relates the self-consistent coupling coefficients to the effective dipole moment of the wake-the parameter which characterizes the mode coupling in the framework of the conventionally used Yukawa/point-wake model. The importance of the self-consistent approach is demonstrated by comparing the theoretically obtained dipole moments with the values deduced from experiments.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2011

Exploring the limits of cooperative phenomena using complex plasmas

With the advancing miniaturization of technological applications, processes on the mesoscale become increasingly important. This is the scale where the individual movement of particles transforms into cooperative behavior-behavior that cannot be explained by investigating the motion of individual particles alone.Complex plasmas are ideally suited to study the limits of cooperative behavior. The time scales of the dynamics of the microparticles embedded in the plasma are such that their movement can be fully resolved, and an investigation on the atomistic (kinetic) level is possible. In addition, complex plasmas can be considered a model system for ordinary fluids: The internal microparticle dynamics is basically undamped and is characterized by the similarity parameters matching those of other fluids. This similarity does not break down even at small scales: For instance, in [2], microparticle droplets comprised of only a few 1000-10000 particles were examined. In these experiments, the Weber number (the ratio of inertia to surface tension forces) matches that of falling water drops. As another example, the onset of a Rayleigh-Taylor instability in a complex plasma can be described by the ordinary dispersion relation, even at scales of only few particle layers. This allows investigating the 'nanoscale' of fluid flows, and, hence, the limits of cooperative behavior.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2011

Demixing-stimulated lane formation in binary complex plasma

Recently lane formation and phase separation have been reported for experiments with binary complex plasmas in the PK3-Plus laboratory onboard the International Space Station (ISS). Positive non-additivity of particle interactions is known to stimulate phase separation (demixing), but its effect on lane formation is unknown. In this work, we used Langevin dynamics (LD) simulation to probe the role of non-additivity interactions on lane formation. The competition between laning and demixing leads to thicker lanes. Analysis based on anisotropic scaling indices reveals a crossover from normal laning mode to a demixing-stimulated laning mode. Extensive numerical simulations enabled us to identify a critical value of the non-additivity parameter {Delta} for the crossover.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2011

Formation of Jet Propulsion Near Dust Particle in Plasma

Processes of asymmetric ionization and cumulation of electric field and electron and ion flows can develop near the surface of charged dust particles in plasma. In the region of cumulation asymmetry on heating, the particle surface and ion momentum transfer arises; as a result, the dust particle moves in the plasma with high velocity.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2011

The charging of dust particles in the range of very high discharge frequencies

Capacitively coupled plasmas are widely used in a variety of thin film etching and deposition applications. The studies and experimental investigations in this field have shown that increasing frequencies above the conventional 13.56 MHz results in the increase of the deposition rate and at the same time minimizes the film damage. On the other hand dust particles are often present in the plasma reactors as a sputtering or nucleation product and may influence the manufacturing. Therefore, controlling the behavior of dust particles is essential for improving of the manufacturing techniques in the low temperature plasma processing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2011

Levitation and collection of diamond fine particles in the rf plasma chamber equipped with a hot filament

We demonstrate the levitation of diamond fine particles in a H{sub 2} rf plasma chamber equipped with a hot filament and heated electrodes. The levitation conditions should be carefully chosen to compensate the strong thermophoretic forces caused by the filament and the electrodes. This levitation technique with the existence of a hot filament can be applied, e.g., for the efficient growth of diamond layers on seed particles injected and levitated in an rf plasma with reactive gases, e.g., CH{sub 4}/H{sub 2}. Additionally, the method for direct capture of levitated particles on a planar substrate was established, which is useful if it is necessary to analyze the particles after the levitation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2011

Wave mode coupling due to plasma wakes in two-dimensional plasma crystals: In-depth view

Experiments with two-dimensional (2D) plasma crystals are usually carried out in rf plasma sheaths, where the interparticle interactions are modified due to the presence of plasma wakes. The wake-mediated interactions result in the coupling between wave modes in 2D crystals, which can trigger the mode-coupling instability and cause melting. The theory predicts a number of distinct fingerprints to be observed upon the instability onset, such as the emergence of a new hybrid mode, a critical angular dependence, a mixed polarization, and distinct thresholds. In this paper we summarize these key features and provide their detailed discussion, analyze the critical dependence on experimental parameters, and highlight the outstanding issues.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2011

Effect of rotating electric field on 3D complex (dusty) plasma

The effect of rotating electric field on 3D particle clusters suspended in rf plasma was studied experimentally. Spheroidal clusters were suspended inside a glass box mounted on the lower horizontal rf electrode, with gravity partially balanced by thermophoretic force. Clusters rotated in the horizontal plane, in response to rotating electric field that was created inside the box using conducting coating on its inner surfaces (''rotating wall'' technique). Cluster rotation was always in the direction of applied field and had a shear in the vertical direction. The angular speed of rotation was 10{sup 4}-10{sup 7} times lower than applied frequency. The experiment is compared to a recent theory.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2011

Pattern Formation in a Complex Plasma in High Magnetic Fields

Low-pressure room-temperature neon, argon, krypton, and air plasmas were studied in magnetic fields up to flux densities of 2.3 T. Filaments appeared parallel to the magnetic field lines, and patterns such as spirals and concentric circles formed in the perpendicular direction. We link these effects to the magnetization of the ions. We also used a layer of embedded microparticles as probes in the plasma. Their motion changed dramatically from a collective rotation of the whole ensemble in moderate magnetic fields to a rotation in several small vortices centered at the filaments.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2011

Freezing and Melting of 3D Complex Plasma Structures under Microgravity Conditions Driven by Neutral Gas Pressure Manipulation

Freezing and melting of large three-dimensional complex plasmas under microgravity conditions is investigated. The neutral gas pressure is used as a control parameter to trigger the phase changes: Complex plasma freezes (melts) by decreasing (increasing) the pressure. The evolution of complex plasma structural properties upon pressure variation is studied. Theoretical estimates allow us to identify the main factors responsible for the observed behavior.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2011

Complex Plasmas in External Fields: The Role of Non-Hamiltonian Interactions

Dedicated experiments with strongly coupled complex plasmas in external electric fields were carried out under microgravity conditions using the PK-4 dc discharge setup. The focus was put on the comparative analysis of the formation of stringlike anisotropic structures due to reciprocal (Hamiltonian) and nonreciprocal (non-Hamiltonian) interactions between microparticles (induced by ac and dc fields, respectively). The experiments complemented by numerical simulations demonstrate that the responses of complex plasmas in these two regimes are drastically different. It is suggested that the observed difference is a manifestation of intrinsic thermodynamic openness of driven strongly coupled systems.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2011

Direct Experimental Measurement of the Speed-Stress Relation for Dislocations in a Plasma Crystal

The speed-stress relation for gliding edge dislocations was experimentally measured for the first time. The experimental system used, a two-dimensional plasma crystal, allowed observation of individual dislocations at the ''atomistic'' level and in real time. At low applied stress dislocations moved subsonically, at higher stress their speed abruptly increased to 1.9 times the speed of shear waves, then slowly grew with stress. There is evidence that immediately after nucleation dislocations can move faster than pressure waves.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2010

Laser-induced rocket force on a microparticle in a complex (dusty) plasma

The interaction of a focused powerful laser beam with micron-sized melamine formaldehyde (MF) particles was studied experimentally. The microspheres had a thin palladium coating on their surface and were suspended in a radio frequency argon plasma as a single layer (plasma crystal). A particle hit by the laser beam usually accelerated in the direction of the laser beam, consistent with the radiation pressure force mechanism. However, random-direction acceleration up to the speeds on the order 1 m/s was sometimes observed. Rocket-force mechanism is proposed to account for the random-direction acceleration. Similar, but much less pronounced, effect was also observed for MF particles without palladium coating.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2010

ACCELERATION OF SMALL ASTROPHYSICAL GRAINS DUE TO CHARGE FLUCTUATIONS

We discuss a novel mechanism of dust acceleration which may dominate for particles smaller than {approx}0.1 {mu}m. The acceleration is caused by their direct electrostatic interactions arising from fluctuations of grain charges. The energy sources for the acceleration are the irreversible plasma processes occurring on the grain surfaces. We show that this mechanism of charge-fluctuation-induced acceleration likely affects the rate of grain coagulation and shattering of the population of small grains.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗