AbstractThe space plasma environment usually contains charged dust grains. The grain charge is an important parameter determining its migration through the space, coagulation, formation of dust clouds and so on. The knowledge of its charge is thus one of the basic information we want to know. There are several emission processes leading to both positive and negative charges, among others photoemission, all kinds of secondary emissions, field emissions, etc. The present study is focused on a laboratory simulation of emissions caused by impacts by energetic ions. Our experiment is based on the Paul trap which gives us an opportunity to catch a single dust grain for several days inside the vacuum vessel and exposed it by electron/ion beams. This experimental approach allows us to separate an individual charging process. We have chosen spherically shaped gold grains and discussed the processes leading to the limitation of the grain charge. We suggested that the implantation of charging ions leads to deformations of the grain surface. The deformations enhance the local electric field strength that becomes sufficient for the field ionization.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Field emission characteristics of gold dust grains


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Advances in Space Research ; 42 , 1 ; 129-135


    Publication date :

    2007-11-19


    Size :

    7 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Field emission characteristics of gold dust grains

    Pavlů, J. | Online Contents | 2008


    The maturation of lunar dust grains

    Bertaut, J. L. / Bibring, J. P. / Borg, J. et al. | NTRS | 1975




    Submicron-sized dust grains in the Martian environment

    Tátrallyay, M. / Horányi, M. / Juhász, A. et al. | Elsevier | 1992