Theory of dust voids in plasmas

Dusty plasmas in a gas discharge often feature a stable void, i.e., a dust-free region inside the dust cloud. This occurs under conditions relevant to both plasma processing discharges and plasma crystal experiments. The void results from a balance of the electrostatic and ion drag forces on a dust particle. The ion drag force is driven by a flow of ions outward from an ionization source and toward the surrounding dust cloud, which has a negative space charge. In equilibrium the force balance for dust particles requires that the boundary with the dust cloud be sharp, provided that the particles are cold and monodispersive. Numerical solutions of the one-dimensional nonlinear fluid equations are carried out including dust charging and dust-neutral collisions, but not ion-neutral collisions. The regions of parameter space that allow stable void equilibria are identified. There is a minimum ionization rate that can sustain a void. Spatial profiles of plasma parameters in the void are reported. In the absence of ion-neutral collisions, the ion flow enters the dust cloud's edge at Mach number M=1. Phase diagrams for expanding or contracting voids reveal a stationary point corresponding to a single stable equilibrium void size, provided the ionization rate is constant. Large voids contract and small voids expand until they attain this stationary void size. On the other hand, if the ionization rate is not constant, the void size can oscillate. Results are compared to recent laboratory and microgravity experiments.     

Physical aspects of dust–plasma interactions

Low-pressure gas discharge plasmas are known to be strongly affected by the presence of small dust particles. This issue plays a role in the investigations of dust particle-forming plasmas, where the dust-induced instabilities may affect the properties of synthesized dust particles. Also, gas discharges with large amounts of microparticles are used in microgravity experiments, where strongly coupled subsystems of charged microparticles represent particle-resolved models of liquids and solids. In this field, deep understanding of dust–plasma interactions is required to construct the discharge configurations which would be able to model the desired generic condensed matter physics as well as, in the interpretation of experiments, to distinguish the plasma phenomena from the generic condensed matter physics phenomena. In this review, we address only physical aspects of dust–plasma interactions, that is, we always imply constant chemical composition of the plasma as well as constant size of the dust particles. We also restrict the review to two discharge types: dc discharge and capacitively coupled rf discharge. We describe the experimental methods used in the investigations of dust–plasma interactions and show the approaches to numerical modelling of the gas discharge plasmas with large amounts of dust. Starting from the basic physical principles governing the dust–plasma interactions, we discuss the state-of-the-art understanding of such complicated, discharge-type-specific phenomena as dust-induced stratification and transverse instability in a dc discharge or void formation and heartbeat instability in an rf discharge.     

Complex plasmas in external fields: the role of non-hamiltonian interactions

Dedicated experiments with strongly coupled complex plasmas in external electric fields were carried out under microgravity conditions using the PK-4 dc discharge setup. The focus was put on the comparative analysis of the formation of stringlike anisotropic structures due to reciprocal (hamiltonian) and nonreciprocal (non-hamiltonian) interactions between microparticles (induced by ac and dc fields, respectively). The experiments complemented by numerical simulations demonstrate that the responses of complex plasmas in these two regimes are drastically different. It is suggested that the observed difference is a manifestation of intrinsic thermodynamic openness of driven strongly coupled systems.     

Nonlinear theory of void formation in colloidal plasmas

A nonlinear time-dependent model for void formation in colloidal plasmas is proposed. For experimentally relevant initial conditions, the model describes the nonlinear evolution of a zero-frequency linear instability that grows rapidly in the nonlinear regime and subsequently saturates to form a void. A number of features of the model are consistent with experimental observations under laboratory and microgravity conditions.     

Critical point in complex plasmas

The occurrence of liquid-vapor phase transition and the possible existence of a critical point in complex plasmas--systems that consist of charged micrograins in a neutralizing plasma background--is investigated theoretically. An analysis based on the consideration of the intergrain interaction potential suggests that under certain conditions systems near and at the critical point should be observable. Measurements under microgravity conditions would appear to be required. The analysis aims at determining the plasma parameter regime most suitable for planned experimental investigations.     

Dynamics of macroparticles in a dusty plasma under microgravity conditions (First experiments on board the ISS)

The results of experimental investigation of macroparticle transport in the dusty plasma of a capacitive high-frequency discharge under microgravity conditions are considered. Experimental data were obtained for monodisperse polymer particles of radius a _p =1.7 mm in a wide range of plasma parameters on the International Space Station. Analysis of macroparticle dynamics for a strongly nonideal dusty plasma, including diffusion and dust vortex formation processes, is carried out.     

Freezing and melting of 3D complex plasma structures under microgravity conditions driven by neutral gas pressure manipulation

Freezing and melting of large three-dimensional complex plasmas under microgravity conditions is investigated. The neutral gas pressure is used as a control parameter to trigger the phase changes: Complex plasma freezes (melts) by decreasing (increasing) the pressure. The evolution of complex plasma structural properties upon pressure variation is studied. Theoretical estimates allow us to identify the main factors responsible for the observed behavior.     

Transport of microparticles in weakly ionized gas-discharge plasmas under microgravity conditions

Measurements of effective structural (pair correlation function) and transport (diffusion constant) characteristics of the system of microparticles in dc and rf gas-discharge plasmas under microgravity conditions are reported. The comparison between these measurements and numerical simulations is used for complex plasma diagnostics.     

Collective Phenomena in Strongly Coupled Dissipative Systems of Charged Dust: from Ground to Microgravity Experiments

In present work the formation of dusty plasma structures in cryogenic glow dc discharge was investigated. The ordered structures from large number (～10⁴) of charged diamagnetic dust particles in a cusp magnetic trap have been also studied in microgravity conditions. The super high charging (up to 5·10⁷e) of dust macroparticles under direct stimulation by an electron beam is experimentally performed and investigated. The results of the investigation of Brownian motion for strongly coupled dust particles in plasma are presented. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

铝丝电爆炸过程的光学诊断

采用100 m和40 m两种直径的铝丝,在不同放电电压下,通过分幅成像技术和光谱诊断方法,对铝丝电爆炸过程放电特性及放电等离子参数进行了诊断。实验研究表明:铝丝电爆炸过程中金属蒸气的二次击穿分为内部击穿和沿面击穿两种类型,较细的铝丝更容易发生内部击穿,发生内部击穿时产生的等离子体具有更好的空间均匀性和对称性,其放电过程具有更高的稳定性和可重复性。通过光谱诊断可知铝丝电爆炸等离子体电子温度在104 K量级,电子密度在1018 cm-3量级。     

Decharging of complex plasmas: first kinetic observations

The first experiment on the decharging of a complex plasma in microgravity conditions was conducted. After switching off the rf power, in the afterglow plasma, ions and electrons rapidly recombine and leave a cloud of charged microparticles. Because of microgravity, the particles remain suspended in the experimental chamber for a sufficiently long time, allowing precise measurements of the rest particle charge. A simple theoretical model for the decharging is proposed which agrees quite well with the experiment results and predicts the rest charge at lower gas pressures.     

Mechanism of diffusion of positively charged dust particles in a photoemission cell under microgravity conditions

The decay of a dusty plasma in a photoemission cell under microgravity conditions is investigated on the basis of the method of nonlocal moments. It is founds that plasma decay in space experiments occurs in accordance with the mechanism of free electron diffusion followed by dust particle drift. An analytic solution is found for the evolution of radial distributions of the dust particle concentration and the electric field under the experimental conditions. The effect of abnormally high temperatures of dust particles is considered. The effect of axial magnetic fields on the decay of dusty plasma is investigated. It is shown that the plasma decay in a magnetic field is governed by the ambipolar diffusion mechanism, the decay being prolonged up to 10³ s in a magnetic field on the order of 10³–10⁴ G in strength.     

On the ion drift in gas mixtures

The features of the velocity distribution function of ions during their drift in a mixture of different gases are analyzed. Examples of drift of heavy ions in light gas, a mixture of two gases with equal concentrations, and drift of light ions in heavy gas are considered. It was shown that the transition to discharge in mixtures of different gases allows the formation of an ion flux with characteristics unattainable for discharge in single-component gas under typical conditions under which experiments with dust structures in plasma are performed.     

Image of a gaseous discharge in microgravity

The electrode gap length of a gaseous discharge in a low-pressure 1 g environment is compared with its length in a low-pressure microgravity environment for pressures ranging from 30 kPa to atmospheric pressure. The maximum gap length obtained is measured for both conditions using three separate gases. Video images of the discharge in microgravity make apparent both the lack of gravity-induced convection, which gives rise to the arching of the 1 g discharge, and the increase in gap length     

Tellurium recrystallization under microgravity conditions and the resulting properties of samples

Three experiments on the tellurium recrystallization by a modified Bridgman method were performed under microgravity conditions on board the Mir orbital space laboratory using a ChSK-1 Kristallizator furnace. The physical properties of samples were studied, including the final crystal structure, the distribution of impurities and defects, and the charge carrier concentration and mobility. The results were compared to the analogous parameters of crystals remelted using the same method under the normal gravity conditions. It is established that the samples recrystallized in a close volume under the on-board microgravity conditions “break off” from the container walls and touch the walls only in a few points. This circumstance gives rise to special effects, such as the growth of crystals with a free surface and deep supercooling. Study of the distribution of electrically active impurities over the length of ingots shows evidence of the presence of thermocapillary convective flows in the melt under the microgravity conditions. The flows tend to increase upon separation of the melt from the container walls. The contributions due to impurities and electrically active structural defects to the charge carrier distribution are taken into account. The single-crystal sample obtained upon the partial recrystallization of tellurium in a close container volume under the on-board microgravity conditions exhibits the electrical characteristics comparable to those of a crystal grown by the Czochralski technique under the normal gravity conditions.     

Bow shock formation in a complex plasma

A bow shock is observed in a two-dimensional supersonic flow of charged microparticles in a complex plasma. A thin conducting needle is used to make a potential barrier as an obstacle for the particle flow in the complex plasma. The flow is generated and the flow velocity is controlled by changing a tilt angle of the device under the gravitational force. A void, microparticle-free region, is formed around the potential barrier surrounding the obstacle. The flow is bent around the leading edge of the void and forms an arcuate structure when the flow is supersonic. The structure is characterized by the bow shock as confirmed by a polytropic hydrodynamic theory as well as numerical simulation.     

Influence of void ratio on phase change of thermal energy storage for heat pipe receiver

In this paper, influence of void ratio on phase change of thermal storage unit for heat pipe receiver under microgravity is numerically simulated. Accordingly, mathematical model is set up. Numerical method is offered. The liquid fraction distribution of thermal storage unit of heat pipe receiver is shown. Numerical results are compared with experimental ones in Japan. Numerical results show that void cavity prevents the process of phase change greatly. PCMmelts slowly during sunlight periods and freezes slowly during eclipse periods as the void ratio increases. The utility ratio of PCM during both sunlight periods and eclipse periods decreases obviously as the void ratio increases. The thermal resistance of void cavity is much higher than that of PCMcanister wall. Void cavity prevents the heat transfer between PCM zone and canister wall.     

用高空气球搭载微重力实验研究浮力对预混V形火焰的影响

在地面实验中观测到的燃烧现象,包含了浮力的影响。利用微重力实验在浮力消失后研究火焰,有助于深入理解燃烧过程。本文介绍了利用高空气球搭载微重力实验对甲烷－空气预混Ｖ形火焰的研究。实验提供了长时间微重力环境下火焰的动态图像。利用计算机图像处理方法对火焰图像的分析表明,在本实验的工况下,微重力下预混Ｖ形火焰锋面的张角比正常重力下变大,皱折和摆动加剧。这说明浮力确实影响预混燃烧过程。     

Stabilizing effect of plasma discharge on bubbling fluidized granular bed

Fluidized beds have been widely used for processing granular materials. In this paper, we study the effect of plasma on the fluidization behavior of a bubbling fluidized bed with an atmospheric pressure plasma discharger. Experiment results show that the bubbling fluidized bed is stabilized with the discharge of plasma. When the discharge current reaches a minimum stabilization current Cms, air bubbles in the bed will disappear and the surface fluctuation is completely suppressed.A simplified model is proposed to consider the effect of electric Coulomb force generated by the plasma. It is found that the Coulomb force will propel the particles to move towards the void area, so that the bubbling fluidized bed is stabilized with a high enough plasma discharge.     

The Nonstationary Behaviour of the Electron Current Density in the Weakly Inonized Plasma at High Field Frequencies

Based upon former studies concerning the nonstationary electron kinetics in collision dominated, weakly ionized plasmas the phase delay between the ac electric field component and the resultant ac electron current density has been analysed, theoretically and experimentally, under the specific conditions of a microwave field superimposed to a dc discharge plasma column. The complex plasma conductivity and thus the phase delay has been calculated by solving an appropriate electron kinetic equation. The same quantities have been experimentally determined by using the microwave cavity which operates with different resonator modes. A comprehensive comparison between calculated and measured quantities for different neon discharge plasmas leads to a complete confirmation of the theoretical expectations.