Topic:	Investigation of nucleation and growth of nanoparticles in plasmas
Project leader:	Strunskus, Thomas, Dr., Institut für Materialwissenschaft, Uni Kiel Kersten, Holger, Prof. Dr., Institut für Experimentelle und Angewandte Physik, Uni Kiel

This new project addresses the nucleation and early growth phase of carbonaceous nanoparticles in a plasma by a combination of sophisticated methods including synchrotron based time resolved x-ray scattering and near edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy. The combination of these methods will provide insight not only in the kinetics of nuclei formation but also in the chemical composition of the nuclei and the nanoparticles formed from them during the early growth phase. The study will address acetylene containing plasmas including those with added nitrogen.