Fireballs Ejected from Solids and Liquids by Localized Microwaves

This paper presents various aspects of our recent fireball studies and new experimental results of fireballs ejected from various solid and liquid substrates (e.g. copper, salty water, silicon, carbides). Our ongoing experimental analyses of these fireballs include measurements of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) performed at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), optical spectroscopy measurements, plasma diagnostics, and various ex-situ material analyses. The in-situ SAXS measurements reveal the fireballs' nano-structures, and further optical spectral analyses indicate the presence of the originating substrate elements in the floating fireballs (e.g. copper or sodium). Scanning electron microscopy of the dust debris accumulated on the chamber walls is used to verify the in-situ measurements of the dimensions and contents of the fireballs' nanoparticles. Our studies could be relevant to ball-lightning phenomena in nature and to a variety of practical technological applications conceived for these fireballs.