Heating and evaporation of solid micro- and nanoparticles in low-temperature plasma

The heating and evaporation of solid micro- and nanoparticles (MNPs) in a low-temperature plasma, followed by ionization of the resulting vapor, are analyzed theoretically. A scheme is proposed in which MNPs are first charged to a high positive potential outside the plasma and then electrostatically accelerated into it. Within the plasma, collisions with ions and electrons lead to MNPs heating. To compensate for the positive charge introduced by the MNPs, an electron beam is injected into the plasma. This beam simultaneously serves as an additional heating source, promotes evaporation, and enhances vapor ionization. The developed model makes it possible to evaluate how the heating and evaporation rates depend on MNP size and plasma parameters, providing a framework for applications that require controlled injection of solid MNPs into plasma.