Melting dynamics of finite clusters in dusty plasmas
- Institut fuer Physik, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universitaet Greifswald, 17487 Greifswald (Germany)
The nonequilibrium melting dynamics of finite two-dimensional dust clusters is investigated experimentally. Nonequilibrium melting is induced by placing a single particle in the layer below the actual cluster which leads to unstable oscillations of the lower particle. The dynamic and thermodynamic properties during the two-step melting process have been investigated. Using the novel technique of singular value decomposition, the driving modes have been unambiguously related to the unstable oscillation. These modes are not accessible by normal mode analysis. Further it has been observed that angular melting occurred prior to the radial melting. Also, clusters with smaller number of particles revealed stronger heating than larger. This behavior is attributed to constant energy input by the unstable oscillation. Finally, clusters consisting of smaller particles are found to be more susceptible to fluctuations of the plasma parameters leading to a less pronounced two-step melting.
- OSTI ID:
- 20764374
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 12, Issue 7; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.1954607; (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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