Short and Long-range Structural Deformation in Plasma Crystals

Complex plasma consists of micron-sized dust particles distributed in a weakly ionized gas. Within specific operating parameter regimes, combined with vertical and horizontal confinement, a 2D plasma crystal can be formed within a complex plasma. Torsions are a recently discovered, unique structure within such monolayer plasma crystals where dust particles form quasi-pairs that orbit outside the plane of the crystal due to decreases in power or pressure [1-3]. Torsions act as energy transfer agents through Coulomb interactions with surrounding particles, perturbing the hexagonal structure. At Baylor University, a GEC RF Reference Cell is being used to experimentally study the interaction between torsions and the dust particles within a lattice structure surrounding them. This will aid in understanding the maximum range of structural deformation caused by single and multiple torsions. This talk will discuss both torsion formation and their effect on the surrounding particles within the dust grain lattice using experimentally collected data employing high-speed cameras, laser fans, and particle tracking software.