A simplistic plasma dust removal model employing radiation pressure

Abstract

A simple heuristic model is developed to examine the feasibility of using radiation pressure as a means to transport plasma dust out of the path of the forthcoming electron or photon beam. A slow electromagnetic surface wave coupled to a planar target or substrate exerts the required pressure in the removal process. The model is examined using data and parameters from single-shot radiography experiments. Optimal source requirements are identified for a typical radiography experiment. Source energies and powers are a minimum over an optimum band of frequencies where both conduction and plasma oscillation effects are mutually significant. Above the band of frequencies, dissipative losses in the surface supporting the surface wave increases exponentially with frequency. Below the optimal band, the energy concentration over the plume at the surface structure decreases significantly with frequency, thereby requiring higher source energies/powers for plasma removal.