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AIST TODAYNo.7 Winter 2003


Discovery of Friction-Generated Micro-Plasma
- With a Comet-like Propagation Pattern Around the Contact Point -



We discovered a microplasma generated in a gap of sliding contact and achieved a world-first success in total micro-plasma imaging. We proposed its existence previously (Fig.1) and proved finally the hypothesis. It had a comet like shape with a tail and a horseshoe pattern on it (Fig.2). It was generated even under such extremely low load as 3g and low friction speed as 2cm/s. It is generated for almost all materials of insulators, semiconductors and metal oxide films. This means that we are always with the microplasma in our daily life and in industry.
Figure1
Fig.1 Gas-discharge plasma model
 
Figure2
Fig.2 UV Plane image of plasma

Relational Information

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