Multiple phase transitions associated with charge cannibalism effect in complex (dusty) plasmas

Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik - D-85741 Garching, Germany, EU

Received: 27 May 2010
Accepted: 12 July 2010

Abstract

The charge of particles in complex (dusty) plasmas is not fixed, but depends on local plasma parameters. For instance, it reacts on modifications of the plasma quasineutrality condition associated with the presence of highly charged particles —an effect known as particle charge reduction in dense particle clouds (or “charge cannibalism”). In this paper we discuss one of the consequences of this effect related to the possible phase states of the particle component. In particular, we show that the effect of charge reduction can prevent the particle component from crystallization. Alternatively, it can lead to a reentrant fluid-solid-fluid chain of phase changes upon isothermal compression of the particle component. The obtained results can be important for experimental investigations of phase transitions in complex (dusty) plasmas.