Separating micrometer-sized particles utilizing a dusty plasma ratchet

Abstract

Directional transport-dominated particle separation presents major challenges in many technological applications. The Feynman ratchet can convert the random perturbation into directional transport of particles, offering innovative separation schemes. Here, we propose the design of a dusty plasma ratchet system to accomplish the separation of micrometer-sized particles. The dust particles are charged and suspended at specific heights within the saw channel, depending on their sizes. Bi-dispersed dust particles can flow along the saw channel in opposite directions, resulting in a perfect purity of particle separation. We discuss the underlying mechanism of particle separation, wherein dust particles of different sizes are suspended at distinctive heights and experience electric ratchet potentials with opposite orientations, leading to their contrary flows. Our results demonstrate a feasible and highly efficient method for separating micrometer-sized particles.