Discontinuous structure transition in a Debye cluster

Journal Article · Tue May 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3694013· OSTI ID:22072431

Sheridan, T E ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio 45810 (United States)

We consider the structural phases of a cluster of identical particles confined in a two-dimensional biharmonic well and interacting through a screened Coulomb (Yukawa) potential (e.g., dusty plasma). For n = 6 particles, we show that there are one discontinuous and three continuous structure transitions, giving five structure phases. Two of these phases, the straight line and zigzag configurations, have previously been studied experimentally. We experimentally verify the discontinuous transition and observe the remaining three phases.

• OSTI ID: 22072431
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 19, Issue 5; Other Information: (c) 2012 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
CONFIGURATION
CONFINEMENT
PARTICLES
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
YUKAWA POTENTIAL