Polarization forces in the vicinity of nanoparticles in weakly ionized plasma

TL;DR

This paper investigates how polarization forces near nanoparticles in weakly ionized plasma significantly enhance neutral atom fluxes to the nanoparticle surface, affecting thermal balance through atom acceleration and inelastic collisions.

Contribution

It reveals the impact of polarization forces on flux enhancement and thermal dynamics of nanoparticles in weakly ionized plasma.

Findings

Polarization forces increase neutral atom fluxes to nanoparticles.

Enhanced fluxes influence the thermal balance of nanoparticles.

Atoms are accelerated in the dipole potential, leading to inelastic collisions.

Abstract

It is shown that the polarization forces in a weakly ionized plasma lead to a substantial increase in the fluxes of neutral atoms and molecules to the surface of charged nanoparticles. Thus, the nanoparticles can change thermal balance due to the acceleration of atoms and molecules in the dipole potential and subsequent inelastic collisions to the nanoparticles.