Pattern phenomena in an rf discharge dusty plasma system

Various dust patterns are observed in an rf discharge dusty plasma system. According to the dust growth process from small to large in size, the formation of different dust patterns can be divided into two stages: the small-particle stage (or dust cloud stage), and the large-particle stage (or dust crystal stage). The evolution relations between different dust patterns with gas pressure changing are investigated. Dust voids, dust acoustic waves and strong turbulence modes are presented at the small-particle stage. The self-organized dust lattices and dust clusters are investigated at the large-particle stage. The static structure of a dust lattice is characterized by means of the pair correlation function. Dust clusters formed by particles with different numbers and the regular evolution of the clusters with gas pressure are also investigated. The packing sequences of dust clusters are verified through two-dimensional confined molecular dynamics simulations.     

Shape modeling of mineral dust particles for light-scattering calculations using the spatial Poisson-Voronoi tessellation

We present a shape model of mineral dust particles for use in light-scattering calculations. A spatial Poisson-Voronoi tessellation was applied to simulate the aggregate structure and, therefore, the rough surface of the mineral particles. To develop the shape model, we took into account statistics of shape parameters derived from the cross-sectional areas, maximum dimensions, and perimeters of field-collected dust particles. Light-scattering properties of the modeled Voronoi aggregates were examined by the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The results of randomly oriented scattering properties agreed with previously reported laboratory measurements of mineral dust particles.     

Uncertainties in measured and modelled asymmetry parameters of mineral dust aerosols

The error caused by the uncertainty in the refractive index in the determination of the asymmetry parameter g is studied for a variety of mineral dust aerosol samples at two different optical wavelengths. Lorenz–Mie computations for spherical model particles are compared with results based on laboratory-measured phase functions in conjunction with a commonly used extrapolation method. The difference between the g-value based on measurements and the g-value based on Lorenz–Mie simulations is generally on the same order of magnitude as the error caused by the uncertainty in the refractive index m. For larger effective radii the error in g related to the use of spherical model particles is even larger than that related to the uncertainty in m. This indicates that the use of spherical model particles can be among the major error sources in the determination of the asymmetry parameter of dust aerosols.     

Interstellar grains The interaction of light with a small-particle system

Interstellar dust is suggested to be one of the most thoroughly studied of all small-particle systems, whose characteristics have in some ways not been duplicated in our laboratories. The particles are maintained in complete isolation from one another, in ultra-high vacuum and at low temperature, and have been studied spectroscopically from far infra-red to far ultra-violet. Optical properties of the interstellar dust which are surveyed include effects interpreted as due to surface plasmon bands in the ultra-violet, surface phonon bands and other vibrational absorption bands in the infra-red, linear and circular polarization caused by aligned particles, impurity absorption, and defect absorption possibly caused by radiation damage. A discussion of the possible origins for interstellar grains leads to speculation on their relationship to certain meteorites. Absorption and scattering effects from small particles in general are surveyed by way of Mie calculations for a representative insulator, MgO, and a representative metal, Mg. Spectral features revealed by the calculations from far infra-red to far ultra-violet are discussed briefly. Methods of measuring optical constants, necessary for small-particle calculations, are surveyed, and results for several solids of possible importance in astronomy are discussed. Collective resonances associated with plasmons and phonons in small particles are treated, and the effect of particle shape is illustrated with several experimental examples. Various non-collective resonance effects in small particles are presented and situations in which bulk optical constants may not be appropriate are reviewed. Applications are made of all these effects to observed features from interstellar grains. Special emphasis is given to a discussion of the 39 unidentified interstellar bands in the visible spectral region, which comprise the longest-standing spectroscopic mystery in astronomy.     

Localization phenomena in models of ion-conducting glass formers

The mass transport in soft-sphere mixtures of small and big particles as well as in the disordered Lorentz gas (LG) model is studied using molecular dynamics (MD) computer simulations. The soft-sphere mixture shows anomalous small-particle diffusion signifying a localization transition separate from the big-particle glass transition. Switching off small-particle excluded volume constraints slows down the small-particle dynamics, as indicated by incoherent intermediate scattering functions. A comparison of logarithmic time derivatives of the mean-squared displacements reveals qualitative similarities between the localization transition in the soft-sphere mixture and its counterpart in the LG. Nevertheless, qualitative differences emphasize the need for further research elucidating the connection between both models.     

Light scattering by small feldspar particles simulated using the Gaussian random sphere geometry

The single-scattering properties of Gaussian random spheres are calculated using the discrete dipole approximation. The ensemble of model particles is assumed to be representative for a feldspar dust sample that is characteristic for weakly absorbing irregularly shaped mineral aerosol. The morphology of Gaussian random spheres is modeled based on a statistical shape analysis using microscope images of the dust sample. The size distribution of the dust sample is based on a particle sizing experiment. The refractive index of feldspar is estimated using literature values. All input parameters used in the light scattering simulations are thus obtained in an objective way based on the true properties of the mineral sample. The orientation-averaged and ensemble-averaged scattering matrices and cross sections of the Gaussian random spheres are compared with light scattering simulations using spheroidal shape models which have been shown to be applicable to the feldspar sample. The Gaussian random sphere model and the spheroidal shape model are assessed using the measured scattering matrix of the feldspar dust sample as a reference. Generally, the spheroidal model with strongly elongated prolate and strongly flattened oblate shapes agrees better with the measurement than the Gaussian random sphere model. In contrast, some features that are characteristic for light scattering by truly irregular mineral dust particles are rendered best by the Gaussian random sphere model; these features include the flat shape of the phase function and a minimum in the scattering matrix element F₂₂/F₁₁ as a function of the scattering angle.     

Evidence for particle size–shape correlations in the optical properties of silicate clay aerosol

Accurate modeling of the optical properties of atmospheric mineral dust is important for climate modeling calculations and remote sensing data retrievals. Atmospheric mineral dust in the accumulation mode size range is often rich in silicate clays including kaolinite and illite. This is important because dust optical properties depend on particle shape, and fundamental clay particles are known to consist of very thin flakes.In this combined laboratory and modeling study, we investigate the optical properties (IR extinction and visible light scattering) of two samples of silicate clay dust aerosol, kaolinite and illite. Particle size distributions are measured simultaneously with the optical properties. T-Matrix theory based simulations using a spheroidal particle approximation are compared with experimental data. We find that the full range of visible scattering and polarimetry data, and IR extinction profiles are not well fit by assuming a single size–shape distribution for the aerosol. In contrast, a simple bimodal distribution model that treats small particles (fundamental clay flakes) in the distribution as highly eccentric oblate spheroids with axial ratio parameters ≥5, but approximates larger particles by a more moderate shape distribution with axial ratio parameters <3, gives better agreement with the full range of experimental data. These conclusions are consistent with mineralogical data on the dimensions of fundamental clay particles.     

电子束蒸发氧化锆薄膜的粗糙度和光散射特性

利用电子束蒸发工艺，以Ag层为衬底，沉积了中心波长为632.8nm的氧化锆(ZrO₂)薄膜，膜层厚度在80—480nm范围内变化.研究了不同厚度样品的粗糙度变化规律和表面散射特性.结果发现，随着膜层厚度的逐渐增加，其表面均方根(RMS)粗糙度和总积分散射(TIS)均呈现出先减小后增大的趋势.利用非相关表面粗糙度的散射模型对样品的TIS特性进行了理论计算，所得结果与测量结果相一致. 关键词： 氧化锆 表面粗糙度 标量散射 电子束蒸发     

Optical modeling of mineral dust particles: A review

Dust particles are uniquely and irregularly shaped, they can be inhomogeneous, form agglomerates, be composed of anisotropic materials, and have a preferred orientation. As such, modeling their light scattering is very challenging. This review takes a look at the advances in dust optical modeling over the last decade. It is obvious that our ability to model the single-scattering properties of dust particles accurately depends on the size parameter. Unfortunately, our ability to account realistically for all the relevant physical properties in light-scattering modeling is the best for small particles; whereas, the realistic treatment of the particles would be most important for large size parameters. When particles are not much larger than the wavelength, even simple model shapes such as homogeneous spheroids appear to perform well; practically any reasonable shape distribution of non-spherical model particles seems superior compared to the Mie theory. Our ability to model scattering by dust particles much larger than the wavelength is very limited: no method presently exists to predict reliably and accurately the single-scattering properties of such particles, although there are models that can be tuned to agree well with the laboratory-measured reference scattering matrices. The intermediate size parameters between the resonance domain and the geometric-optics domain appear to be almost uncharted territory and, consequently, very little can be said about the impact of different physical properties on scattering in this region. Despite the challenges, the use of Mie theory should be avoided: contrary to the popular belief, the use of Mie spheres is a major source of error even in radiation-budget considerations.     

Visible light scattering study at 470, 550, and 660 nm of components of mineral dust aerosol: Hematite and goethite

Iron oxides, usually in the form of hematite or goethite, comprise an important component of atmospheric mineral dust aerosol. Because these minerals are strong visible absorbers they play a critical role in determining the overall impact of dust aerosol on climate forcing. In this work, results from light scattering measurements from hematite and goethite dust aerosol are presented for three visible wavelengths, λ=470, 550, and 660 nm. We observe important systematic differences in the scattering between these different iron oxide samples, as well as significant wavelength dependence across the visible region of the spectrum. Aerosol size distributions are measured simultaneously with the light scattering, enabling a rigorous comparison between theoretical light scattering models and experimental data. Theoretical simulations of the scattering are carried out using both Mie and T-Matrix theories. Simulations are in reasonably good agreement with experimental data for hematite; thus, our data offer a useful check on tabulated optical constants for hematite. However, simulations show very poor agreement for goethite. The poor agreement in the goethite case is likely the result of particle shape effects related to the rod-like morphology of the goethite particles. This study demonstrates how particle mineralogy and morphology play an important role in dictating the optical properties of mineral dust aerosol, a major component of tropospheric dust.     

Study of the sensitivity of size-averaged scattering matrix elements of nonspherical particles to changes in shape, porosity and refractive index

Studies of the physical parameters that influence the single scattering properties of a size distribution of small particles in random orientation are fundamental in understanding the origin of the observed dependence of the scattering matrix elements on the scattering angle. We present results of extensive calculations of the single scattering matrices of small nonspherical particles performed by a computational model based on the Discrete-Dipole Approximation. We have particularly studied the sensitivity of the size-averaged scattering properties at visible wavelengths of nonspherical, randomly oriented absorbing particles considering changes in shape, porosity and refractive index. These studies have importance regarding the inversion of physical properties of small particles as measured in the laboratory and the dust properties in various astrophysical and atmospherical environments. We have found that size distributions of randomly oriented irregular particles of different shape, including large aspect ratio particles, show similar scattering matrix elements as a function of the scattering angle, in contrast with the pattern found for regularly shaped particles of varying axis ratios, for which the scattering matrix elements as a function of the scattering angle show much larger differences among them. Regarding porosity, we have found a very different pattern in the scattering matrix elements for an ensemble of compact and porous particles. In particular, the linear polarization for incident unpolarized light produced by compact and absorbing particles of large size parameter tend to mimic the pattern found for large absorbing spheres. For porous particles, however, the linear polarization for incident unpolarized light tends to decrease as the size of the particle grows, with the maximum being displaced towards smaller and smaller scattering angles.     

表面粗糙度对固体内部超声背散射的影响

超声背散射法可通过多晶体金属内部的空间方差信号,实现微观结构参数的无损评价,但表面粗糙度对评价模型的精度及实用性存在显著影响.基于高斯声束理论推导垂直入射粗糙界面的纵波声场,以此研究声能的Wigner分布规律;在超声的波长远大于粗糙度的前提下,构造表面粗糙度修正系数,并建立粗糙界面的单次散射响应模型,揭示粗糙度对超声波背向散射的影响规律.用304不锈钢制备轮廓均方根值为0.159μm的光滑试块和25.722μm的粗糙试块开展超声背散射实验,结果表明模型在粗糙度修正前后均可实现光滑试块的晶粒尺寸有效评价,但未经修正的传统模型对粗糙试块的晶粒尺寸评价结果与金相法结果的相对误差高达-21.35%,而本模型的评价结果与金相法结果符合得很好,相对误差仅为1.35%.可见,本模型能有效补偿粗糙度引起的超声背散射信号衰减,从而提高晶粒尺寸无损评价的精度.     

Light scattering by agglomerates: Interconnecting size and absorption effects (PROGRA2 experiment)

Linear polarization of the scattered light by clouds of dust particles and by very large agglomerates deposited on a surface are studied with the PROGRA² experiment. A first series of measurements use bare silica spheres and black-coated spheres to compare the phase curves obtained by different sizes of agglomerates with varying albedos. The refractive indices are evaluated by comparison with numerical simulations. Then, the maximum polarization, P_max, on the phase curves for irregular particles is studied as a function of the size of the grains (equivalent diameters from submicron-sized to hundreds of micrometres) and of the agglomerates (from micrometres to centimetres). A minimum value of P_max is obtained for silica (about 5% for lifted agglomerates and 3% for layers of particles with a grain size of about 50 μm) and amorphous carbon (about 40% for lifted agglomerates and layers with a grain size of about 0.2 μm). For smaller grain sizes, P_max increases when the grain size decreases. For larger grain sizes, P_max increases when the grain size increases. Differences between transparent and absorbing materials are underlined. Such studies may be used to interpret remote observations of light scattering by dust particles in cometary comae and Titan's atmosphere.     

随机取向非球形沙尘气溶胶粒子的光学特性

利用离散偶极子近似法分析了一种随机取向旋转椭球体沙尘气溶胶粒子模型在尺度参数变化范围为0.1~23时(波长0.55!m对应有效半径为0.01~2!m)的光学特性,研究了沙尘粒子非球形性程度对其光学特性的影响,并考察了非球形粒子的随机取向能否用等体积球体来代替。就随机取向单分散和多分散旋转椭球体沙尘气溶胶而言,粒子非球形特征越明显,消光效率因子、不对称因子和单次散射反照率基本上偏离其等体积球体越大;对于相同的非球形,不对称因子偏离其等体积球体的相对偏差要比消光效率因子和单次散射反照率要大。非球形粒子的随机取向并不能使其光学特性严格等效为其等体积球体的光学特性。如果粒子形状偏离球体较小,则非球形粒子的随机取向的平均效果能使其消光效率因子、不对称因子和单次散射反照率近似用等体积球体的对应光学参量来等效;而如果粒子形状偏离球形较大,仅有单次散射反照率可以近似用等体积球体的单次散射反照率来等效,例如,轴半径比为16的旋转椭球体沙尘粒子的单次散射反照率偏离其等体积球体仅在3%以内。     

Near-field characterization of glass microfibers on a low-index substrate

We characterize the propagation of infrared light inside a silica glass microfiber laid on a magnesium fluoride substrate, using both numerical simulations and near-field experiments. Propagation constants and cut-off diameter are computed by finite-element analysis, while near-field measurements reveal the evanescent tails of the modes. The microfibers display an excellent surface quality since very low scattering levels are measured, and the field distribution is in good agreement with simulations. Finally, dust scattering and coupling structure are investigated.     

Particle Growth in an Experimental Dusty Plasma System

The coagulation and growth process of dust particles is investigated through laboratory experiment in a plasma system. A large number of dust particles with different sizes and shapes are formed. The growth process is characterized by the scattering laser intensity and fractal dimension. The comparisons of dust particles and scattering laser intensity obtained at different rf powers are presented. The three-dimensional distribution of dust particles is also given. These results provide an experimental basis for dust growth investigation.     

双向反射模型反演沙地表粗糙度研究

由于沙地通常处在半干旱地区,在风蚀作用下表面结构特征会有所改变,同时,沙地表面粗糙度与组成成分的时间与空间变化也是研究风蚀模型所必须的输入信息。作为一种非接触的探测手段,遥感技术有助于实现对沙地表面粗糙程度在时空尺度上的研究。为了利用反射特性描述沙地表面结构特征,以人为模拟的粗糙沙地表面为研究对象,基于野外实测多角度高光谱反射信息,分析了沙地表面粗糙度变化对反射信息分布的影响,并且结合双向反射模型,试图利用模型参数反演粗糙度特征。通过研究发现,如果按照入射方向与沙地表面沙垄方向分类来看,与入射方向平行或者垂直均会对沙地表面反射分布特性有所改变。当沙垄方向与入射光方向垂直时,会使后向散射的反射峰值增加;而沙垄方向与入射光平行时,会使后向散射峰值向主平面两侧扩张。双向反射模型可以模拟沙地表面的反射特性,根据模型参数的变化也可以表示出沙地表面的粗糙度变化特性。这表明双向反射信息可以用于量化沙地表面结构特征,而且有助于了解结构特征对沙地光学特性的影响,也为研究颗粒介质固有光学特性以及反演沙地表面结构特征提供依据。     

随机起伏冰面三维声散射的Kirchhoff近似数值计算模型

针对随机起伏冰面的声散射问题,建立了随机起伏冰面三维声散射的Kirchhoff近似数值计算模型。利用Delaunay三角剖分方法对随机起伏冰面进行三角面元剖分,然后采用Z-buffer算法进行面元的遮挡消隐,得到处于声波照射亮区的面元,最后采用Gordon面元积分的板块元方法计算得到随机起伏冰面的散射强度。数值计算模型中,将冰面认为是局部阻抗表面,直接代入起伏冰面局部反射系数进行散射声场的计算,避免了解析计算模型中对反射系数的近似处理。对比分析了数值和解析计算模型在小粗糙起伏冰面、大粗糙起伏冰面及不同声波入射角和不同声波频率时的散射强度。相比解析模型计算结果,数值模型计算结果与实测结果更吻合。      

Optoheterodyne Doppler measurements of the ballistic expansion of the products of the shock wave-induced surface destruction: Experiment and theory

The results of optoheterodyne Doppler measurements of the ballistic expansion of the products of surface destruction under shock-wave loading are presented. The possibility of determining the physical characteristics of a rapidly flying dust cloud, including the microparticle velocities, the microparticle sizes, and the areal density of the dust cloud, is shown. A compact stand for performing experiments on shock-wave loading of metallic samples is described. Shock-wave loading is performed by a 100-µm-thick tantalum flyer plate accelerated to a velocity of 2.8 km/s. As the samples, lead plates having various thicknesses and the same surface roughness are used. At a shock-wave pressure of 31.5 GPa, the destruction products are solid microparticles about 50 µm in size. At a pressure of 42 and 88 GPa, a liquid-drop dust cloud with a particle size of 10–15 µm is formed. To interpret the spectral data on the optoheterodyne Doppler measurements of the expansion of the surface destruction products (spalled fragments, dust microparticles), a transport equation for the function of mutual coherence of a multiply scattered field is used. The Doppler spectra of a backscattered signal are calculated with the model developed for the dust cloud that appears when a shock wave reaches the sample surface at the parameters that are typical of an experimental situation. Qualitative changes are found in the spectra, depending on the optical thickness of the dust cloud. The obtained theoretical results are in agreement with the experimental data.