Paul trapping for micro-particles and its application for crystal growth

Abstract

Recently, crystal growth in the microgravity is attracting attention because it has possibility to produce uniform crystal. The purpose of our study is to manipulate a particle with micrometer of diameter and to produce crystal coincidentally by Paul trapping. Cylindrical electrodes were prepared for Paul trapping and electrospray ionization was brought in to charge particles. A micro particle of solid, liquid and solution have simple harmonic motion behavior. An electrical charge of trapped particles is derived from analyzing a motion of vibration particles using high-speed camera. After liquid particle is trapped, then it starts to be vaporized. To control position of the particle, it is applied voltage. Finally it is succeed to produce the crystal.