Plasma Crystal: Coulomb Crystallization in a Dusty Plasma

H. Thomas, G. E. Morfill, V. Demmel, J. Goree, B. Feuerbacher, and D. Möhlmann
Phys. Rev. Lett. 73, 652 – Published 1 August 1994
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Abstract

A macroscopic Coulomb crystal of solid particles in a plasma has been observed. Images of a cloud of 7μm "dust" particles, which are charged and levitated in a weakly ionized argon plasma, reveal a hexagonal crystal structure. The crystal is visible to the unaided eye. The particles are cooled by neutral gas to 310 K, and their charge is >9800e, corresponding to a Coulomb coupling parameter Γ>20 700. For such a large Γ value, strongly coupled plasma theory predicts that the particles should organize in a Coulomb solid, in agreement with our observations.

  • Received 25 January 1994

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.73.652

©1994 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

H. Thomas*, G. E. Morfill, and V. Demmel

  • Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, 85740 Garching, Germany

J. Goree

  • Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242

B. Feuerbacher and D. Möhlmann

  • DLR, Institut für Raumsimulation, 51140 Köln, Germany

  • *Permanent address: DLR, Institut für Raumsimulation, 51140 Köln Germany. Electronic address: Hubertus. Thomas@europa.rs.kp.dlr.de
  • Electronic address: john-goree@uiowa.edu

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Vol. 73, Iss. 5 — 1 August 1994

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