Generation of two-dimensional dust vortex flows in a direct current discharge plasma

Abstract

The two-dimensional dust vortex flows are observed in a direct current discharge plasma near the edge of a metal plate which is situated in the dust-particle levitation region. Applying negative dc potential to the metal plate, dust particles are strongly accelerated toward the metal plate edge, and two symmetric dust vortex flows are generated on both sides of the metal plate. Numerical calculation including the effect of the ion drag force well demonstrates the dust vortex formation as in the experiment. A mechanism of the dust vortex generation could be explained by effect of an asymmetry of ion drag force near the metal plate.