Photoelectric charging and lofting of dust particles on a conducting surface with external electric fields

Abstract

We present a laboratory study of photoelectric charging of dust particles and their lofting on a conducting surface in the presence of external electric fields. Insulating particles with diameter <45 μm are dispersed on a conducting surface exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. In addition to the UV exposure, a positive or negative external electric field is applied. Independent of the orientation of the external electric field, the dust particles are found to be positively charged but with different mechanisms. It is shown that the orientation of the external electric field controls the dynamics of photoelectrons emitted from the dust particles and the conducting substrate surface. Distinctly different lofting results are shown between these two electric field cases. The results provide insight for understanding dust charging and release and helping develop mitigation solutions in particle accelerators, semiconductor manufacturing, fusion reactors, and space exploration to planetary bodies.