A microparticle plasma

Abstract

A study is made of a cloud composed of microparticles which are individually either positively or negatively charged. The plasma definitions that the total charge of the cloud is zero and the shielding distance is small compared to the dimensions of the system are taken to be satisfied. As a result, it is proposed that the cloud be called a "microparticle plasma". Since the particle sizes vary over a range of values, the cold plasma many-fluid model is used to analyze the problem, with each fluid representing particles of a particular radius. It is assumed that there is a continuum between one fluid and the next. This model has been used to study plasma waves. Microparticle clouds have been set up in our laboratory in an attempt to realize a "microparticle plasma".