Structure Formation in Complex Plasma

Abstract

Complex plasma result when microparticle "dust" becomes entrapped in a radio frequency (rf) discharge plasma. Dust charging was studied both theoretically and experimentally under cryogenic conditions whereby the charged microparticles experience supersonic flow in the presence of gravitational field. This research involved an investigation of microparticle structure formation in complex plasma under extreme conditions. A theoretical study of the charging mechanism in a non-uniform discharge plasma revealed that plasma density and temperature effects on dust grain charging at cryogenic temperatures is much smaller than that at the room temperature, which is in agreement with experimental observations. It is suggested that charging at cryogenic temperatures makes the formation of a strongly coupled system of dust particles.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 24, 2011
Accession Number
ADA549217

Entities

People

  • Osamu Ishihara

Organizations

  • Yokohama National University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Bow Shock
  • Complex Systems
  • Electrons
  • Energy
  • Flow
  • Frequency
  • Gravity
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Microparticles
  • Observation
  • Particles
  • Phase Transformations
  • Physics
  • Stainless Steel
  • Supersonic Flow
  • Temperature Gradients

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerosol Science/Aerosol Physics
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.

Technology Areas

  • Hypersonics