Spatio-temporally resolved investigations of layered particle growth in a reactive argon-acetylene plasma

Abstract

The growth of nanometer-sized particle populations is studied in a reactive argon-acetylene plasma. Particular attention is paid to the spatio-temporal evolution of nested particle populations. For this purpose, a new non-invasive 2D imaging ellipsometry diagnostic is applied in combination with laser extinction measurements. In this way, the spatio-temporal evolution of particle size and density is obtained. The temporal evolution of the particle clouds during the first and subsequent growth cycles reveals a complex interplay between the different particle generations, the plasma and the resulting dust confinement. It is demonstrated that the electrostatic pressure needs to be considered in the force balance of systems with high dust densities. The relationship between the growth of particles and characteristic transition events visible in the dynamic of the void is discussed.