Geometrical optics of dense aerosols: forming dense plasma slabs.
Assembling a freestanding, sharp-edged slab of homogeneous material that is much denser than gas, but much more rarefied than a solid, is an outstanding technological challenge. The solution may lie in focusing a dense aerosol to assume this geometry. However, whereas the geometrical optics of dilute aerosols is a well-developed field, the dense aerosol limit is mostly unexplored. Yet controlling the geometrical optics of dense aerosols is necessary in preparing such a material slab. Focusing dense aerosols is shown here to be possible, but the finite particle density reduces the effective Stokes number of the flow, a critical result for controlled focusing.
Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA.
Michael J
MJ
Hay
Ernest J
EJ
Valeo
Nathaniel J
NJ
Fisch
D000336:Aerosols / Q000737:chemistry*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D058626:Plasma Gases / Q000737:chemistry*
D000336:Aerosols; D058626:Plasma Gases