Formation of complex structures in dusty plasmas under temperature gradients

Abstract

Thermophoretic effects on dust structures under temperature gradients in glow and radio-frequency discharge plasmas are studied experimentally. The geometry of dust structures consisting of micrometer-sized polydisperse grains depends on heat release in the plasma. Thermophoretic forces associated with heat release can control the formation of dust structures of different geometries. A theoretical model is proposed to describe dust separation with respect to grain size caused by the effects of radial electrostatic and thermophoretic forces. The glow discharge currents under critical conditions for grain separation predicted by the model agree with those observed experimentally.