Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: We present the first observations of dust charging and mobilization in a combined vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and plasma environment. It is experimentally demonstrated that exposing photoemitting dust particles to a low‐density plasma enhanced the charge on the particles, accompanied by a significant increase in dust mobilization compared to VUV or plasma exposure alone. Measurements of the dust charge support a proposed ‘charge pumping’ mechanism, in which ambient electrons are collected by photoemitting dust surfaces, causing more photoelectrons to be pumped onto surrounding dust particles, increasing repulsive forces and leading to enhanced mobilization.
Source: Geophysical Research Letters
DOI: 10.1029/2024gl113715
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,900
OpenAlex ID: W4405820337