Title

New Technique For Levitating Solid Particles Using A Proton Beam

Authors

Authors

N. Y. Misconi

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Laser Part. Beams

Keywords

RADIATION PRESSURE; CORONA; LIGHT; DUST; Physics, Applied

Abstract

A new technique for levitating solid particles inside a vacuum chamber is developed using a proton beam. This new technique differs from the classical laser-levitation technique invented by Ashkin in that it does not heat up light-absorbing levitated particles to vaporization. This unique property of the method will make it possible to levitate rear interplanetary dust particles in a vacuum chamber and study their spin-up dynamics in a ground-based laboratory. It is found that a flux of protons from a proton gun of similar to 10(15) cm(-2) sec(-1) is needed to levitate a 10-mm particle. Confinement of the levitated particle can be achieved by a Z or theta pinch to create a gravity well, or by making the beam profile doughnut in shape. In levitating real interplanetary particles, two spin-up mechanisms can be investigated using this technique: one is the Paddack Effect and the other is a spin-up mechanism by the interaction of F-coronal dust with CMEs (Coronal Mass Ejections), suggested by this author. The real interplanetary particles were collected by Brownlee and associates (also known as the Brownlee Particles) from the earth's upper atmosphere. It is anticipated that other applications of studying micron-sized particles in a microgravity environment using this technique will develop as the scientific community is made aware of this new technique.

Journal Title

Laser and Particle Beams

Volume

14

Issue/Number

3

Publication Date

1-1-1996

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

501

Last Page

510

WOS Identifier

WOS:A1996VU73700017

ISSN

0263-0346

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