J. F. Spann
Space Sciences Laboratory
NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL
R. H. Comfort
Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research
University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL
The study of dusty plasmas is filled with numerous observable phenomena in the space environment including interplanetary space, planetary magnetospheres, comets, and planetary rings. Studies have shown that micron size particles or "dust particles" charged and immersed in a plasma can alter a plasma's characteristics while the ions and electrons in a plasma impacting a particle can affect the particles potential. One key to understanding these phenomena is a full understanding of the charging mechanisms of a dust particle in a plasma. In particular, we are interested in studying secondary electron emission.
In this paper, we will discuss present preliminary results from a unique laboratory technique known as electrodynamic suspension of particles. Here, a single charged micron size particle is suspended in a quadrupole trap and then subjected to a controlled environment. Currently, initial measurements and observations have been recorded to calculate the charge to mass ratio. Also steps have been taken to integrate an electron gun into the laboratory set up. Once this is achieved, the particle will be subjected to an electron beam and the particleÕs charge as well as beam current flux will be measured. By using this technique, a better understanding of the microphysics of a single charged particle in relation to secondary electron emission can be achieved.