Void closure in a pulsed complex plasma in microgravity

Abstract

A new experimental method for creating void-free complex (dusty) plasmas under microgravity conditions is presented. The method is based on a pulsed operation mode of a four-channel radio frequency generator for plasma sustainment. A dust cloud of micrometer-sized particles can be immersed in the bulk of a low temperature plasma under microgravity conditions. It typically contains a central volume depleted of particles -- the void -- that prevents the generation of large, continuous clouds. Experiments performed at different neutral gas pressures and discharge volumes during the microgravity phase of a parabolic flight show that the central void is closed completely once the pulsed operation mode is applied. The particle cloud shape and the density distribution within the cloud are practically independent of the pulse period within the investigated parameter range and mainly depend on the overall discharge parameters neutral gas pressure and discharge volume. This indicates that the pulsed operation of the plasma source does not introduce new physical effects on the particles aside from the void closure. The proposed method has great potential for future application in experimental facilities dedicated to fundamental studies of large three-dimensional, homogeneous complex plasma systems in microgravity.