Charge transfer in dust-agglomerate collisions and
the efficiency of electrostatic secondary
agglomeration
A possible explanation for a rapid formation of macroscopic
bodies in protoplanetary disks in spite of low sticking
probabilities is based upon charge separation in
non-sticking collisions. Such a charge separation has been
observed in laboratory collisions between microscopic dust
particles and macroscopic solid targets. A succession of
non-sticking collisions can lead to the build-up of surface
charges and, thus, of strong electric fields on the larger
bodies from which emerging, previously non-sticking dust
particles are not able to escape. The proposed project aims
at the experimental test of this concept and the modelling
of the charge-induced growth of protoplanetary bodies. In
addition to that, chondrule-formation theories based on
nebular lightning will be tested.
Principle Investigators
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Blum
Dr. Gerhard Wurm