Interview with TSP Students: Tim and Peter

Tim and Peter, two of the TSP students who participated in special project with us this year, gave an excellent talk on Monday 20th of October. The talk was titled "...And you thought simple plasmas were complex!". And today, they just handed in their report on the pairing of particles. The research is still at its initial stage, but hopefully their work will get published in the near future.

Complex Plasma Laboratory once again took the opportunity to interview these two talented students immediately after the completion of their report.

F: Felix Cheung
T: Timothy Olshansky
P: Peter Berger

F: How do you feel now that you have finished your presentation?

T: I feel really relieved that the presentation is over. Now the project report is next on the agenda and i can imagine that it will be as fun if not more so. (Note: Sarcasm)
P: Relieved... Actually looking foward to possible future research.

F: Can you explain to our viewers what your project involves?

T: The project itself was quite simple. It involved measuring the heights and separations of paired dust particles in the sheath of a RF CCP as we varied the pressure and input voltage in the system. Essentially, we were investigating the particle-particle interaction in the system. The fun part was illuminating the dust and trying to find it on camera. It was a torture I wouldn't wish on anyone.
P: So in other words, our project essentially looks at the levitation of dust particles in a plasma.

F: How is your project important in our understanding of complex plasmas and in real life application?

T: Well if we can understand the way in which two dust particles interact in a plasma, this could pave the way for understanding more complex phenomena like voids, acoustic waves etc. The applications are also far reaching, we could possibly use dusts to grow particles with certain geometries for use in surface deposition and the like.
P: Well I had to learn the theory surrounding it, but after completing the project it all makes much more sense. I have gained an appreciation of the importance of complex plasmas both theoretically and industrially.

F: So what do you see as some of the challenges while pursuing this project?

T: One of the challenges was finding the particles, thats for sure! Accurate modelling was also a hurdle. There are plenty of proposed models for the phenomena we observed, but they were all modelled in the bulk plasma and not the sheath region. Trying to simplify the model was a huge challenge!
P: The steep learning curve and not knowing what the results should be. Not having a "right" result made the analysis a lot more challenging.

F: Were you satisfied with the supervision and facilities you were given?

T:What kind of researcher would I be if I said I was happy with the facilites? Millions of dollars worth of grants would have made me happy! More seriously though, the supervision was excellent, we had plenty of feedback and help throughout the whole project so I can't complain about that, what bothered me most was the pressure gauge - the pain I went through to control the pressure using a screwdriver is indescribable!
P: Everybody who helped and supervised was wonderful, all the facilities needed were in the lab and there was never any problem with asking for help or advice.

F: Do you see yourself continuing in the research of complex plasma? If not, what do you think are some of the reasons which inhibit your interest in this area?

T: I'd be more than happy to continue research in plasma physics! Hopefully i'll be able to get some vacation work, failing that, i'll do everything to get back in the lab next semester!
P: Yes, I would love to if the opportunity permits.

F: Well, thanks guys. You guys did a great job this semester. Hopefully, our viewers will get to see you two in the future.

L: Yes I hope so too. And I hope we will get exposed to the complex plasma community more in the future.
P: And I hope future first year students who are considering pursuing in the field of complex plasma will find our feedback invaluable.

 

Felix Cheung

29/10/2004

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Personal Profile

Timothy Olshansky is a first year sciences student who participated in the talented student program at the University of Sydney. Prior to this he was studying at the Sydney Boys High School and received the all-round excellence in the Higher School Certificate as a student who appeared on the Distinguished Achievers List for courses totalling a minimum of 10 units in 2003. He enjoys many sports including rowing.

Peter Berger is a first year sciences student who participated in the talented student program at the University of Sydney. Before university, he studied at the prestigious Sydney Grammar School. He also have received the all-round excellence in the Higher School Certificate as a student who appeared on the Distinguished Achievers List for courses totalling a minimum of 10 units in 2003.