Quasi-two-dimensional complex plasma containing spherical particles and their binary agglomerates.

Chaudhuri, M; Semenov, I; Nosenko, V; Thomas, H M · Phys Rev E · 2016

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

A unique type of quasi-two-dimensional complex plasma system was observed which consisted of monodisperse microspheres and their binary agglomerations (dimers). The particles and their dimers levitated in a plasma sheath at slightly different heights and formed two distinct sublayers. The system did not crystallize and may be characterized as a disordered solid. The dimers were identified based on their characteristic appearance in defocused images, i.e., rotating interference fringe patterns. The in-plane and interplane particle separations exhibit nonmonotonic dependence on the discharge pressure.