Microparticles in plasmas as diagnostic tools and substrates.

Area of Science:

• Plasma physics
• Materials science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Complex (dusty) plasmas are systems containing nano- and micro-particles.
• Particle behavior in plasmas can reveal local plasma properties.
• Particles can act as electrostatic probes, thermal probes, or micro-substrates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally investigate the interaction of micro-particles with plasma near an adaptive electrode.
• To study particle behavior under varying discharge parameters and electrode bias conditions.
• To demonstrate the excitation of whispering gallery modes in plasma-trapped micro-particles.

Main Methods:

• Experimental study of micro-particle behavior in complex plasmas.
• Utilizing an adaptive electrode for particle confinement and manipulation.
• Employing novel particle falling experiments observed with a fast camera.
• Investigating the effect of biased surfaces on charged micro-particles.
• Demonstrating preliminary experiments on whispering gallery modes.

Main Results:

• Micro-particle behavior was studied in dependence on discharge parameters and electrode bias.
• The effect of biased surfaces on charged micro-particles was investigated.
• Whispering gallery modes of micro-particles trapped in a plasma sheath were demonstrated for the first time.

Conclusions:

• Micro-particles serve as versatile diagnostic tools in complex plasmas.
• Adaptive electrodes enable efficient confinement and manipulation of particles.
• The study provides novel insights into particle-plasma interactions and opens new avenues for plasma diagnostics.