Probe-Induced Particle Circulation in a Plasma Crystal

Abstract
A biased probe placed in an argon plasma near the sheath edge has been found to alter significantly the structure and properties of a plasma crystal, inducing particle circulation around a stable crystalline island. The origin of the island and the circulation are attributed to the formation of a nonuniform electric field in the crystal region by the probe. Variation in the space-charge flux due to the ion wake associated with the probe is also considered important, as it may alter the grain charge and the transfer of momentum to the dust particles.

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