Charging and lofting of dust particles on surfaces exposed to a pulsed electron beam Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • We present the laboratory results of charging and mobilization of dust particles resting on an insulating or a conducting surface that is exposed to either a pulsed or a constant electron beam. Dust particles are mobilized on both types of surfaces, but with different mobility levels. The mobilization is explained using the patched charge model for single particles, which shows that the emission and reabsorption of secondary electrons within a microcavity formed between a particle and the substrate surface result in enhanced charging and subsequent mobilization due to Coulomb repulsion. For the insulating surface, the pulsed beam results in significantly higher mobility than the constant beam, and it exhibits a mobility spike shortly after the beam is turned on. These results are likely attributed to an enhanced secondary electron yield and charge fluctuation due to the rapid temporal variation of the beam. Dust mobilization occurs over an extended period, likely due to the irregular shape of the particles, which can result in variations in both microcavity charging and the surface adhesive force. Mobility on the conducting surface is significantly lower than on the insulating surface due to the attractive image charge force that tends to hold particles on the surface. These results enhance our understanding of dust mobilization in pulsed or time-varying charging conditions, such as those found in particle accelerators, extreme ultraviolet lithography machines, and on airless planetary surfaces.

publication date

  • November 1, 2025

Date in CU Experts

  • November 7, 2025 7:07 AM

Full Author List

  • Taylor K; Wang X; Horányi M; Schmidt R; Wiesner C; Wollmann D

author count

  • 6

Other Profiles

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1070-664X

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1089-7674

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 32

issue

  • 11

number

  • 113702