Amy Wendt edited untitled.tex  over 8 years ago

Commit id: ed7e1fadeabbd2f3b34cc2dec0c9a8ff0c9b0ecb

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Low pressure plasmas generated in pure oxygen have technological significance in a number of materials processing applications. Such processes rely on the interaction of neutral radicals, O$^+$ and O$_2^+$ with substrate surfaces exposed to the plasma. In many applications, achievement of process goals is sensitive to the relative fluxes of the different gas phase species to the substrate surface. Production of ion and neutral radical species occurs primarily through gas phase reactions involving collisions with energetic electrons, so that production {\it rates} are sensitive functions of electron density and electron temperature.  Rocket club -- The We propose an new outreach activity to increase public awareness of plasmas among the general public, in partnership with the  Rocket Club at Madison West High School is an extracurricular activity in which School. Our group will work with Rocket Club members to create a hands-on display with a demonstration and description of ion thrusters for spacecraft propulsion to be integrated into the club's existing outreach exhibit. As club participants,  West High students engage in rocket competitions, local public outreach events and fundraising fund raising  to support the club's activities. The club, founded in 2003, regularly participates in national competitions, including the Team America Rocket Challenge and the NASA Student Launch program, and has won numerous awards. The club maintains a traveling exhibit for annual public  outreach events. Creating paper rockets events, including the Wisconsin Science Festival  andlaunching them with  the club's University of Wisconsin Physics Fair, as well as numerous invitations to schools and scouting groups, etc. The exhibit is very popular; designing and launching  pneumatic launcher paper rockets  is a  popular activity  among visitors all ages.   The new display will add a working thruster to the exhibit, one that operates at atmospheric pressure and is small enough to sit on a display table. Operating at 300 watts, the thrust will be small but observable through the deflection of a lightweight object such as a piece of paper. The UW plasma spectroscopy group will work with Rocket Cub members to construct the thruster, and to advise on the design of a poster explaining the principle of operation and showing examples of current and proposed uses of ion thrusters, such as satellite maneuvering and long-distance space flights.