Igor Semenov

Thermodynamics of Yukawa fluids near the one-component-plasma limit

Thermodynamics of weakly screened (near the one-component-plasma limit) Yukawa fluids in two and three dimensions is analyzed in detail. It is shown that the thermal component of the excess internal energy of these fluids, when expressed in terms of the properly normalized coupling strength, exhibits the scaling pertinent to the corresponding one-component-plasma limit (the scalings differ considerably between the two- and three-dimensional situations). This provides us with a simple and accurate practical tool to estimate thermodynamic properties of weakly screened Yukawa fluids. Particular attention is paid to the two-dimensional fluids, for which several important thermodynamic quantities are calculated to illustrate the application of the approach.

On the estimation of sound speed in two-dimensional Yukawa fluids

The longitudinal sound speed in two-dimensional Yukawa fluids is estimated using the conventional hydrodynamic expression supplemented by appropriate thermodynamic functions proposed recently by Khrapak et al. [Phys. Plasmas 22, 083706 (2015)]. In contrast to the existing approaches, such as quasi-localized charge approximation (QLCA) and molecular dynamics simulations, our model provides a relatively simple estimate for the sound speed over a wide range of parameters of interest. At strong coupling, our results are shown to be in good agreement with the results obtained using the QLCA approach and those derived from the phonon spectrum for the triangular lattice. On the other hand, our model is also expected to remain accurate at moderate values of the coupling strength. In addition, the obtained results are used to discuss the influence of the strong coupling effects on the adiabatic index of two-dimensional Yukawa fluids.

Numerical study of the anode boundary layer in atmospheric pressure arc discharges

The anode boundary layer in atmospheric pressure arc discharges is studied numerically on the basis of the hydrodynamic (diffusion) equations for plasma components. The governing equations are formulated in a unified manner without the assumptions of thermal equilibrium, ionization equilibrium or quasi-neutrality. For comparison, a quasi-neutral model of the anode layer is also considered. The numerical computations are performed for an argon arc at typical values of the current density in anode layers (500–2000 A cm−2). The results of numerical modelling show that the common collisionless model of the sheath fails to describe the sheath region for the problem under consideration. For this reason, a detailed analysis of the anode sheath is performed using the results of unified modelling. In addition, the distributions of plasma parameters in the anode layer are analysed and the basic characteristics of the layer (anode voltage drop, sheath voltage drop, anode layer thickness, sheath thickness, heat flux to the anode) are calculated. Our results are found to be in good agreement with the existing theoretical predictions and experimental data. The dependence of the anode layer characteristics on the current density is also discussed.

Momentum transfer cross-section for ion scattering on dust particles

The momentum transfer cross-section for ion scattering on charged dust particles is calculated using different models of the interaction potential. The results are applied to estimate the ion drag force for typical conditions used in the experiments with complex (dusty) plasmas. The influence of two factors on the ion-dust collision cross section is discussed. The first is related to the nonlinear screening effects associated with the strong coupling between ions and dust particles. The second factor is the plasma absorption by dust particles. It is shown that the nonlinear screening effects are of importance and affect both the momentum transfer cross-section and the ion drag force. On the other hand, the absorption process affects the scattering momentum transfer cross-section only at low collision energies and thus can be neglected in estimating the ion drag force.

Approximate expression for the electric potential around an absorbing particle in isotropic collisionless plasma

A new approximate expression for the potential distribution around an absorbing particle in isotropic collisionless plasma is proposed. The approximate expression is given by the sum of the Debye-Huckel potential with an effective screening length and the far-field asymptote obtained from the solution of the linearized Poisson equation. In contrast to analogous models, the effective screening length is not fixed but depends on the distance from the particle. This allows us to obtain a more accurate approximation for the potential distribution in the entire range of distances. The dependence of the screening length on the distance is predicted from the analysis of the charge density distribution function. This dependence contains two adjustable parameters, which are calculated by applying the procedure based on charge balance considerations. Using the obtained results, simple expressions for the parameters of the model are proposed. In addition, a simple expression for the characteristic screening length, ...

Supersonic Particle in a Low Damped Complex Plasma under Microgravity Conditions

We discuss the diagnostics of a complex plasma cloud recorded in experiments performed in the framework of the Ekoplasma project. A supersonic extra particle is used as a probe of the cloud dynamics. A fine-structured Mach cone behind the supersonic particle is observed. We investigate the spatial and temporal development of the Mach cone with a computer based measurement to determine the speed of sound of the particle cloud. Also time and position dependent characteristics of the velocity field are recorded.

Capacitively coupled rf discharge with a large amount of microparticles:Spatiotemporal emission pattern and microparticle arrangement

The effect of micron-sized particles on a low-pressure capacitively coupled rf discharge is studied both experimentally and using numerical simulations. In the laboratory experiments, microparticle clouds occupying a considerable fraction of the discharge volume are supported against gravity with the help of the thermophoretic force. The spatiotemporally resolved optical emission measurements are performed with different arrangements of microparticles. The numerical simulations are carried out on the basis of a one-dimensional hybrid (fluid-kinetic) discharge model describing the interaction between plasma and microparticles in a self-consistent way. The study is focused on the role of microparticle arrangement in interpreting the spatiotemporal emission measurements. We show that it is not possible to reproduce simultaneously the observed microparticle arrangement and emission pattern in the framework of the considered one-dimensional model. This disagreement can be attributed to the two-dimensional effects (e.g., radial diffusion of the plasma components) or to the lack of the proper description of the sharp void boundary in the frame of fluid approach.

Moment fluid equations for ions in weakly ionized plasma

A one-dimensional fluid model for ions in weakly ionized plasma is proposed. The model differs from the existing ones in two aspects. First, a more accurate approximation of the collision terms in the fluid equations is suggested. For this purpose, the results obtained using the Monte Carlo kinetic model of the ion swarm experiments are considered. Second, the ion energy equation is taken into account. The fluid equations are closed using a simple model of the ion velocity distribution function. The accuracy of the fluid model is examined by comparing with the results of particle-in-cell Monte Carlo simulations. In particular, several test problems are considered using a parallel plate model of the capacitively coupled radio-frequency discharge. It is shown that the results obtained using the proposed fluid model are in good agreement with those obtained from the simulations over a wide range of discharge conditions. An approximation of the ion velocity distribution function for the problem under consideration is also discussed.

Quasi-two-dimensional complex plasma containing spherical particles and their binary agglomerates.

A unique type of quasi-two-dimensional complex plasma system was observed which consisted of monodisperse microspheres and their binary agglomerations (dimers). The particles and their dimers levitated in a plasma sheath at slightly different heights and formed two distinct sublayers. The system did not crystallize and may be characterized as a disordered solid. The dimers were identified based on their characteristic appearance in defocused images, i.e., rotating interference fringe patterns. The in-plane and interplane particle separations exhibit nonmonotonic dependence on the discharge pressure.