The role of negative ions for the formation of dust particles

摘要

The creation of nanoparticles in reactive low temperature discharges is a rather complex multi step process that involves a great variety of different charged and uncharged species. This contribution deals with the role of negative ions in the nucleation process of nanoparticles in a reactive low temperature plasma. The contribution focus on the formation of particles in hydrocarbon discharges. In particular experiments performed in pulsed discharges demonstrate the important role of negative ions for the formation of nanoparticles. Theoretical considerations support these experimental results and show that the formation of particles can be controlled by the proper choice of the pulse frequency.