Evolution of charged grains in harmonic force field

Evolution of the spatial structure of the massive charged grains in the presence of weak linearly space-dependent external force in a dusty plasma is studied using molecular dynamics simulation. The interaction among the dust grains in the background electron-ion plasma is described by a modified Yukawa interaction potential that includes both repulsive and attractive ranges. Evolution of the initially homogeneously distributed dust grains is followed until a quasi-stationary state is reached. Even though the external force is radially highly asymmetric, the final configuration of the charged grains can be a circular crystal. Still driven by the external force, the grains in the crystal execute synchronized oscillations in the direction of the force. The time needed to reach the quasi-stationary state decreases with increase of the strength of the external force.