Complex (“dusty”) plasmas has for more than a decade been one of the fastest-growing fields of plasma physics, and it is a field with important applications to space plasmas. We have recently embarked upon a more active phase, with increased scientific staff and a new international cooperation partner, the Max-Planck Institute in Garching, for details see Plasma Crystal Experiment. The focus is on dust experiments in microgravity (PKE-Nefedov), on board the International Space Station (ISS).
Complex plasmas consist of ions, electrons and small solid particles (dust grains) that are charged by their interaction with the electrons and ions. They are of special interest, since they can form liquid and crystalline states, plasma crystals, and the dynamics of the charged dust grains are directly observable. In Earth based experiments gravity plays a dominating role and the grains usually collect in restricted regions. Under microgravity, in the orbiting space station, the grains move freely in the bulk of the plasma and a wealth of new phenomena has been observed. Through a collaboration with the Complex Plasmas Group at the Max Planck Institute, we have access to the extensive data base of experimental results from the Plasma Crystal Experiment.
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Blomberg, Lars 08-7907697 1527
Brenning, Nils 08-7907688 1526
Marklund, Göran 08-7907695 2527
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Fälthammar, Carl-Gunne 08-7907685 1515Associate Professor ... more
