Equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation of shear viscosity of two-dimensional complex (dusty) plasmas

Abstract

Shear viscosity is examined throughout the entire range of strongly coupled states of two-dimensional complex (dusty) plasma liquids (CDPLs). We have employed equilibrium molecular dynamics (EMD) simulation to compute the shear viscosity coefficients of CDPLs. In the strongly coupled liquid region, the values of valid viscosity coefficient can be estimated only in order of magnitude. The variations in the valid viscosity coefficients with screening strength (κ) and Coulomb coupling strengths (Γ) are observed. A systematic dependence of shear viscosity on κ is observed for an intermediate and higher Γ. The investigations showed that the position of the minimum viscosity coefficient shifts towards higher Γ as κ increases. The computational results for the entire range of liquid states of the strongly coupled dusty plasma obtained using the shear autocorrelation functions are in good agreement with the available simulation results and experimental data. It is shown that new simulations extended the range of plasma states (Γ, κ) used in our earlier simulation results for the existence of a finite minimum possible viscosity coefficient and it is also dependent on plasma states.