Mikhail Pustylnik

Spectroscopic evaluation of the effect of the microparticles on radiofrequency argon plasma

Axial distributions of 1s excited states of argon were measured in a radiofrequency (RF) discharge by a self-absorption method. Experiments were performed in the PK-3+ chamber, designed for microgravity experiments in complex (dusty) plasmas on board the International Space Station. A correction of a standard self-absorption method for the extinction of the light by the levi- tating microparticles is proposed. Distributions, measured at the same discharge conditions in a microparticle-free discharge and a discharge containing a cloud of levitating microparticles, revealed the non-local influence of the microparticle cloud on the discharge plasma. The most probable cause of this influence is the disturbance of the ionization balance by the levitating microparticles.

On the heterogeneous character of the heartbeat instability in complex (dusty) plasmas

A hypothesis on the physical mechanism generating the heartbeat instability in complex (dusty) plasmas is presented. It is suggested that the instability occurs due to the periodically repeated critical transformation on the boundary between the microparticle-free area (void) and the complex plasma. The critical transformation is supposed to be analogous to the formation of the sheath in the vicinity of an electrode. The origin of the transformation is the loss of the electrons and ions on microparticles surrounding the void. We have shown that this hypothesis is consistent with the experimentally measured stability parameter range, with the evolution of the plasma glow intensity and microparticle dynamics during the instability, as well as with the observed excitation of the heartbeat instability by an intensity-modulated laser beam (inducing the modulation of plasma density).

Determination of electron temperature in low-pressure plasmas by means of optical emission spectroscopy

A simple model, allowing to determine the electron temperature in a steady-state low-pressure plasma, is proposed. The model makes use of optical cross-sections and therefore takes into account direct and cascade excitation from ground and metastable states. Spectroscopic data from Mitic et al. (New J. Phys. 11, 083020 (2009)) are used to illustrate the performance of the method.

Effect of high-voltage nanosecond pulses on complex plasmas

Influence of high-voltage (1–11 kV) pulses of nanosecond (20 ns) duration on microparticles levitating in a rf plasma is studied. It is shown that the pulses produce significant influence on the plasma, causing perturbations with the relaxation time of the order of 10−4 s. This time is sufficient for the microparticle to acquire significant kinetic energy. Application of repetitive pulses leads to the vertical oscillations of the microparticles. Clusters, consisting of small number of microparticles, exhibit parametric instabilities of horizontal modes under the effect of repetitive pulses. It was shown that the parametric instability is caused by the vertical oscillations of the microparticles in the nonuniform environment of the sheath.

Capacitively coupled rf discharge with a large amount of microparticles:Spatiotemporal emission pattern and microparticle arrangement

The effect of micron-sized particles on a low-pressure capacitively coupled rf discharge is studied both experimentally and using numerical simulations. In the laboratory experiments, microparticle clouds occupying a considerable fraction of the discharge volume are supported against gravity with the help of the thermophoretic force. The spatiotemporally resolved optical emission measurements are performed with different arrangements of microparticles. The numerical simulations are carried out on the basis of a one-dimensional hybrid (fluid-kinetic) discharge model describing the interaction between plasma and microparticles in a self-consistent way. The study is focused on the role of microparticle arrangement in interpreting the spatiotemporal emission measurements. We show that it is not possible to reproduce simultaneously the observed microparticle arrangement and emission pattern in the framework of the considered one-dimensional model. This disagreement can be attributed to the two-dimensional effects (e.g., radial diffusion of the plasma components) or to the lack of the proper description of the sharp void boundary in the frame of fluid approach.

Plasma diagnostics for complex plasmas under microgravity and on ground

Complex plasmas are low-temperature plasmas containing micron-sized particles (microparticles) such as dust grains. These are present in astrophysical sys- tems (comets, molecular clouds, et al.) and in technological applications (microchip production by plasma etching, deposition of solar cells, et al.). Complex plasmas are also of interest in basic science because these are often used as models for many other strongly coupled many-body systems in solid state, fluid, or plasma physics. Since gravity has a strong influence on the microparticle component, experiments under microgravity (parabolic flights, sounding rockets, International Space Station (ISS)) are performed. Interaction between microparticles depends on plasma parameters such as ion density or ion temperature. Also, the presence of microparticles may change the properties of background plasma. Therefore, the background plasma needs to be characterized to provide adequate interpretation of the microgravity experiments. For this purpose a dedicated high-speed diagnostic system has been set up.

Interdisciplinary research with complex plasmas

The effect of a levitating cloud of microparticles on the parameters of a radiofrequency (RF) plasma has been studied by means of two experimental techniques. Axial distributions of 1s excited states of argon were measured by a self‐absorption method. A correction of a standard self‐absorption method for the extinction of the light by the levitating microparticles is proposed. In addition the electron temperature was estimated using the optical emission spectroscopy. Measurements at the same discharge conditions in a microparticle‐free discharge and discharge, containing a cloud of levitating microparticles, revealed the non‐local influence of the microparticle cloud on the discharge plasma. The most probable cause of this influence is the disturbance of the ionization balance by the levitating microparticles.