Dynamical Processes in Strongly Coupled Complex Plasmas

为进一步研究强耦合复合体等离子体的特性，提出了理论分析与计算机模拟相结合的方法。复杂（尘埃）等离子体由介观颗粒组成，浸没在由电子、离子和中性原子组成的气体等离子体的背景中。这种系统出现在各种情况下。该提案解决了与此类系统中的集体行为相关的问题：即由许多粒子的合作参与引起的现象。这种集体行为是强耦合系统的标志。提出了六个主要研究领域：(i)携带磁偶极矩的颗粒之间的磁相互作用；（ii）波在复杂等离子体中的二维和三维传播；（iii）离子束或粒子束穿透复杂等离子体所产生的微观不稳定性；（iv）复杂等离子体中的随机和无序行为；(v)复杂等离子体中的相变；（六）液氦表面低温生成复杂等离子体的可行性研究。在提出的研究中使用的主要方法之一依赖于一种称为准局域电荷近似的解析方法，该方法先前已成功使用。与匈牙利布达佩斯的匈牙利科学院固体物理与光学研究所的一个研究小组在计算机模拟方面的合作将加强研究计划。这项研究的广泛影响将有助于提高对等离子体和凝聚态物理中重要基础问题的理解。建立适合于操纵细观结构的技术也将对工程应用产生影响。将促进与美国和海外几个主要理论和实验研究小组的科学交流。这些强耦合等离子体物理的原理和技术将成为物理和工程科学研究生课程的一部分。

Theoretical analysis combined with computer simulation is proposed for continued investigation of the properties of strongly coupled complex (dusty) plasmas. Complex (dusty) plasmas consist of mesoscopic grains immersed in the background of gaseous plasma of electrons, ions and neutral atoms. Such systems occur in a variety of situations. The Proposal addresses problems associated with collective behavior in such systems: i.e. phenomena resulting from the cooperative participation of many particles. Such a collective behavior is the hallmark of strongly coupled systems. Six major areas are proposed for study: (i) magnetic interaction between grains carrying a magnetic dipole moment; (ii) propagation of waves in complex plasmas in two dimensional and three-dimensional configurations; (iii) micro-instabilities generated by beams of ions or grains penetrating into the complex plasma; (iv) stochastic and disordered behavior in complex plasmas; (v) phase transitions in complex plasmas; (vi) feasibility study for the cryogenic generation of complex plasmas on the surface of liquid helium. One of the principal approaches to be used in the proposed investigations relies on an analytic method referred to as the Quasi Localized Charge Approximation that has been successfully used previously. Collaboration with a research group at the Research Institute for Solid State Physics and Optics of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in Budapest, Hungary on computer simulation will enhance the research program.Broader impacts of the research will contribute to improved understanding of problems of fundamental importance in plasma and condensed matter physics. Establishing techniques suitable for the manipulation of mesoscopic structures will also have impact on engineering applications. Scientific exchanges with several major theoretical and experimental research groups both in the U. S. and overseas will be facilitated. These principles and techniques of strongly coupled plasma physics will be part of a graduate program in the physical and engineering sciences.