On the electrodynamic balance

• Published in: Proceedings of the Royal Society. A, Mathematical and physical sciences Vol. 437; no. 1900; pp. 237 - 266
• Main Authors: Hartung, W. H., Avedisian, C. T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London The Royal Society 08-05-1992; Royal Society of London
• Subjects: Boundary conditions; Charged particles; Classical and quantum physics: mechanics and fields; Classical field theories; Coefficients; Cylinders; Cylindrical coordinates; Electric fields; Electrodes; Electrodynamics; Exact sciences and technology; Particle mass; Physics; Social balance theory; Equation of motion; Classical electrodynamics
• ISSN: 0962-8444; 2053-9177
• DOI: 10.1098/rspa.1992.0060

The properties of axially symmetric electrodynamic balances are studied using analytic and numerical techniques. The levitation ability and stability characteristics of several balance configurations are determined. A unified theory for the stability characteristics of all electrodynamic balances which have a non-vanishing quadrupole field term is derived. Procedures are proposed to optimize the balance shape for stably levitating particles of maximal mass to charge ratio. The lack of a unique optimum balance shape is demonstrated.