Active Janus particles in a complex plasma

Abstract

This work presents an experimental observation of active Janus particles suspended in a gas-discharge plasma. The Janus particles used are micron-size plastic microspheres, one half of which is coated with a thin layer of platinum. When suspended in plasma, they acquire self-propulsion and move in characteristic looped trajectories suggesting a combination of circling and spinning motion. The main force driving the particle motion is identified as photophoretic force.

Topics & Concepts