Peculiar Properties of Rodlike Particles Levitating in the Sheath of an RF Plasma

Abstract

The motion and the equilibrium position of cylindrical particles in a radio-frequency plasma have been interpreted by dipole and quadrupole interaction in two experimental situations. Particles levitating in steady state are aligned either horizontal or vertical in accordance with the theory. However, particles have been observed tilted w.r.t. the vertical when acquiring a horizontal velocity from sailing in the ion stream. Particles in defect of charge fall on the lower electrode, mainly vertically, and build complex "woody" structures.