Ordering and behavior of fine particles in plasmas under gravity and microgravity conditions

Abstract

Experiments of fine-particle plasma have been performed using a drop experiment facility in order to analyze the ordering and behavior of fine particles under microgravity and during the change of gravitational conditions. Aligned fine particles in the radial directions were observed under microgravity, although they were aligned in the vertical direction under gravity. It has been suggested that the vertical alignment of fine particles under gravity is caused by the mutual influence between positive ion flow and negative fine particles following the deformation of plasma.