Fundamental Experiments on Properties of Dusty Plasmas

Abstract

Recent researches on the properties of dusty plasmas by experimental methods under microgravity as well as under gravity are reviewed. Crystal formation can be observed in dusty plasmas. The crystal was shown to have similar properties to a real crystal. In order to form three dimensional dusty plasma crystal under the condition of isotropic force balance, microgravity experiments were started. However fine particles were suspended around the peripheral of plasmas and formed voids in the center. New methods of plasma generation are being developed for the confinement of fine particles at the center. The directions of aligned fine particles under gravity were compared with those under microgravity and it was found that under gravity the mutual influence between positive ion flow and negative fine particles results in the vertical alignment of fine particles and the deformation of plasma.