Levitation and dynamics of charged dust in the photoelectron sheath above surfaces in space

Physics – Plasma Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

32

Planetology: Solid Surface Planets: Rings And Dust, Planetology: Solar System Objects: Dust, Space Plasma Physics: Electrostatic Structures, Space Plasma Physics: Spacecraft Sheaths, Wakes, Charging

Scientific paper

Bodies in space subject to solar ultraviolet flux will emit photoelectrons. At steady state the current of escaping photoelectrons is balanced by an influx of particles from the surrounding plasma. When the photoelectrons dominate the space charge close to the surface, it has previously been shown that two steady state potential distributions can exist, one in which the potential decreases from the surface value to zero monotonically and one in which it decreases to a negative minimum and then increases to zero. It has been suggested that the nonmonotonic distribution is the stable one. By assuming planar geometry and a Maxwellian distribution of the emitted photoelectrons the charging of isolated dust particles in the plasma sheath is calculated for both the monotonic and nonmonotonic potential distribution. By increasing photoemission from the surface from zero a transition from an ordinary Debye sheath above a nonilluminated surface to a photoelectron sheath is simulated. Dynamical properties of the dust particles such as oscillations, damping, stability, and trapping are investigated. After being injected into the sheath or electrostatically levitated, dust may be stably suspended above illuminated surfaces in space, even in the case of zero gravitation. However, the smallest particles may escape completely from the body. For all sheath types an unstable layer exists close to the surface where dust cannot collect. The theory is applied to bodies in the solar wind and to the spokes of Saturn.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Levitation and dynamics of charged dust in the photoelectron sheath above surfaces in space does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Levitation and dynamics of charged dust in the photoelectron sheath above surfaces in space, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Levitation and dynamics of charged dust in the photoelectron sheath above surfaces in space will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1604910

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.