Research Topics of the Colloidal (Dusty) Plasma Group


Order phenomena in dusty plasmas

SFB-TR24 Project A3
  • Formation of finite 3D dust clusters (Yukawa balls)
  • Structure of Yukawa balls
  • Ground and metastable states
  • Structural transitions between ground and metastable states
  • Normal modes
  • Laser-driven phase transtions in finite systems
 Yukawa Ball

Experiments on dusty plasmas

  • Charging of particles 
  • Interaction of particles with light
  • Thermophoretic levitation
  • Wake-field formation/Ion focus
 Ion flow

3D dynamics of boundaries in dusty plasmas under microgravity

DLR 50WM1138
  • 3D imaging in dusty plasmas using a stereoscopic camera setup for parabolic flights
  • 3D microphysics of boundaries in dusty plasmas
  • Double sheath formation, phase boundaries in binary mixtures, void edge
  • Interaction of accelerated dust
 zero-g

Diagnostic and manipulation techniques


  • Stereoscopic techniques with multiple cameras
  • Particle manipulation by focused laser beams
  • Plasma glow investigation by ICCD imaging
 stereoscopy