Venturini, C.C., Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research, University of Alabama in Huntsville Comfort, R.H., Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research, University of Alabama in Huntsville Initial results of an experiment to measure the photoemission of single dust grains as a function of far ultraviolet wavelengths are presented.
Coulombic forces dominate the interaction of the dust grains in the heliosphere.
The charge state of heliospheric grains is primarily determined by primary electron and ion collisions, secondary electron emission and photoemission due to ultraviolet sunlight. We have established a unique experimental technique to measure the photoemission of individual micron-sized dust grains in vacuum. This technique resolves difficulties associated with statistical measurements of dust grain ensembles and non-static dust beams. Results are compared to interplanetary conditions.