Simulation of the Formation of Dust Grains in Space by a Plasma Jet Apparatus

Autor: Tanabé, Toshihiko, Onaka, Takashi, Kamijo, Fumio, Sakata, Akira, Wada, Setsuko
Zdroj: Japanese Journal of Applied Physics; December 1986, Vol. 25 Issue: 12 p1914-1914, 1p
Abstrakt: Using a vacuum-tight plasma jet apparatus operated below one atmosphere, the condensation of solid particles in space was experimentally simulated. Atomized reactant gases consisting of Si, O, C, and H atoms generated in the plasma flame were injected into a reactor chamber filled with Ar gas of 200 Torr, and quenched into solid particles. The formed grains had irregular shapes and their sizes were smaller than 20 nm. X-ray diffraction patterns of the condensed grains showed no sharp peaks. It was found from IR absorption spectra that the particles contained C-H, Si-O, and Si-C bonds, irrespective of their initial abundances. These characteristics of the condensates were clearly different from those expected from equilibrium calculations.
Databáze: Supplemental Index