In the first year we want to establish that our theoretical models for charging of low-density dusty plasmas are indeed correct. We use the DPX experiment to verify the charging and shielding of dust at these low densities. In order to validate the technique and the theory, we initially begin with calibrated latex spheres that best approximate the theoretical approximations.
After validating the current models, we upgrade the apparatus for use in a magnetic bubble by installing the magnets and Helmholz coils. The coils are initially used to null the Earth's field so that conditions approximating the solar wind magnetic field can be achieved in the lab. The addition of magnets permit measuring the opposite condition, that of strong fields near the spacecraft. With these two upgrades we are then ready to calibrate the system and measure the motion (using PIV) of charged dust grains in an arbitrary strength magnetic field. Our goal is to confirm that the gyroradii of dust particles can be small enough to be trapped in a magnetic balloon of 10 km radius. As a byproduct, we are able to directly measure the charge on a dust grain by determining its radius of curvature.