Deposition Dynamics Of Particles Falling From A Dust Dispenser Onto A Surface

The deposition of dust particles onto a surface is a key process in dusty systems ranging from dusty plasma experiments and divertor region environments to the evolution of airless bodies and dust mitigation studies. Employing a GEC-RF reference cell, an experiment was designed by CAPSER labs (Center for Astrophysics, Space Physics, and Engineering Research) at Baylor university to study the physics surrounding particle deposition at velocities relevant to the Lunar and Martian surfaces. While it is commonly understood that particles initially form a monolayer as they settle on a surface, these particle deposition experiments reveal that particles quickly form Compact Aggregate Piles (CAPs) during deposition. These piles emerge spontaneously before establishing themselves on the surface, and grow with each successive dust drop. Although the clumping of particles during the deposition process has been seen in protoplanetary, fusion, and lunar mitigation studies, it has not been formally characterized under controlled laboratory conditions. This presentation investigates the physics behind particle deposition and explores the unexpected particle pile formation on a dusty surface.