In a framework of a program on interaction of lunar dust simulants with materials [1], we developed a new plasma source integrated into the lunar environment simulator and used in charging the dust simulants deposited onto various space materials [2]. During the plasma charging experiments, we developed a concept and a prototype of a new dust source.

The designed source includes an electrically insulated dust container located at the bottom of the chamber, allowing to ground it or apply an electrical potential. Above the container a mesh electrode is placed, isolated electrically from the dust container. Magnets, installed in the system, allow forming and focusing of plasma. A sample holder is located above the plasma dust source. It is also electrically insulated, and can be either grounded or supplied with an electrical potential.

The plasma, ignited in the vacuum chamber, interacts with dust in the container, charging it. The charged dust particles begin moving towards the sample holder, raised to a much higher potential. By selecting the electrical potentials applied to the sample holder or to the plasma source mesh, or to both, the dust particles will accelerate in the space between the dust container and the sample holder. The source was tested at different conditions and its operation and the possible advantages over other designs will be presented and discussed.

• J. Kleiman, et al (2022) Regolith adherence characterization (RAC) experiment on the Moon and it's ground-based simulation: Materials Issues, Joint International Conference on Protection of Materials from Space Environment, ISMSE15/ICPMSE13 , 18 -23 September, 2022 Leiden, The Netherlands, https://iopscience.iop.org/issue/1757-899X/1287/1 .
• J. Kleiman, et al (2024), Interaction of Lunar Dust Simulants with Materials: Importance of Charging, Joint International Conference on Protection of Materials from Space Environment, ISMSE16/ICPMSE14, 7 - 12 October, 2024, St. Raphael, France