Electrostatic levitation

The idea of particle instability in an electrostatic eld

originated with Samuel Earnshaw in 1839 [1] and was formalized by James Clerk Maxwell [2] in 1874 who gave
it the title Earnshaws theorem and proved it with the
Laplace equation. Earnshaws theorem explains why a
system of electrons is not stable and was invoked by Niels
Bohr in his atom model of 1913[3] when criticizing J. J.
Thomsons atom.
Earnshaws theorem holds that a charged particle suspended in an electrostatic eld is unstable, because the
forces of attraction and repulsion vary at an equal rate
that is proportional to the inverse square law and remain
in balance wherever a particle moves. Since the forces remain in balance, there is no inequality to provide a restoring force; and the particle remains unstable and can freely
move without restriction.

2 Levitation
The rst electrostatic levitator was invented by Dr. WonKyu Rhim at NASAs JPL lab in 1993.[4] A charged
sample of 2 mm in diameter can be levitated in a vacuum chamber between two electrodes positioned vertically with an electrostatic eld in between. The eld is
controlled through a feedback system to keep the levitated sample at a predetermined position. Several copies
of this system have been made in JAXA and NASA, and
the original system has been transferred to California Institute of Technology with an upgraded setup of tetrahedra four beam laser heating system.

Sample of a titanium-zirconium-nickel alloy inside the Electrostatic Levitator vacuum chamber at NASAs Marshall Space
Flight Center.

Electrostatic levitation is the process of using an electric

eld to levitate a charged object and counteract the eects
of gravity. It was used, for instance, in Robert Millikan's
oil drop experiment and is used to suspend the gyroscopes
in Gravity Probe B during launch.

On the Moon the photoelectric eect and electrons in the

solar wind charge ne layers of moon dust on the surface
forming an atmosphere of dust that oats in fountains
over the surface of the moon.[5][6]

Due to Earnshaws theorem no static arrangement of classical electrostatic elds can be used to stably levitate a
point charge. There is an equilibrium point where the two
elds cancel, but it is an unstable equilibrium. By using
feedback techniques it is possible to adjust the charges to
achieve a quasi static levitation.

3 See also
Magnetic levitation
Optical levitation
Acoustic levitation

Aerodynamic levitation

Earnshaws theorem

Biefeld-Brown eect
EHD thruster

Main article: Earnshaws theorem

Ionocraft (Lifter)
1

References

[1] Samuel Earnshaw On the Nature of the Molecular Forces

which regulate the Constitution of the Luminiferous
Ether, Transactions of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Cambridge University Press, Vol. 7, pp. 97-122
(1842).
[2] James Clerk Maxwell, A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism, Macmillan and Co., Earnshaws theorem p. 139
(1873)
[3] Niels Bohr, On the Constitution of Atoms and
Molecules, The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science, Vol. 7 July
(1913).
[4] W. K. Rhim, S. K. Chung, D. Barber, K. F. Man, G. Gutt,
A. Rulison, and R. E. Spjut, Review of Scientic Instruments 64, 2961 (1993).
[5] Bell, Trudy E., Moon fountains, FirstScience.com,
2001-01-06.
[6] Dust gets a charge in a vacuum

External links
JLN Labs: Levitators
Electrostatic levitator Marshall Space Flight Center
Electrostatic levitation raises dust particles o the
surface of the moon
Hybrid electric/acoustic levitation
Electrostatic levitation and transportation of glass or
silicon plates
Electrostatic levitation of various materials including silicon, cobalt palladium, aluminium and other
compounds

EXTERNAL LINKS

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6.1

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Electrostatic levitation Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrostatic_levitation?oldid=701438343 Contributors: Bryan Derksen,

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Public domain Contributors:
nasaimages.org (alternate) Original artist: NASA/MSFC/Emmett Given

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