Control of the charge and the nonlinear oscillation of dust particles by alternating current voltage superposition on the cathode in a direct current discharge

Abstract

Experimental and theoretical studies were conducted to investigate the control of charge and modification of nonlinear oscillations of externally injected dust particles in a dc discharge. The superposition of ac voltage on a dc cathode led to plasma density modulation, which brought about a drastic change of particle oscillation characteristics. Examples of the changes include disappearance of the subharmonic resonance peak and hysteresis as the ac superposition voltage was increased, which is attributed to the fact that the ac superposition made sheath structure less nonlinear and less parametrically resonant. In addition, as the ac frequency decreased from 5 kHz to 1 kHz at the same ac voltage (15 V), the subharmonic peak became weakened along with its frequency. This result demonstrates that the dust charge is the main parameter in determining occurrence of the subharmonic resonance peak. We consequently expect that modification of the oscillation dynamics of dust particles and furthermore the separate control of the charge may be possible by the ac modulation of the dc biased cathode. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.