Wake-Mediated Propulsion of an Upstream Particle in Two-Dimensional Plasma Crystals

The wake-mediated propulsion of an "extra" particle in a channel of two neighboring rows of a two-dimensional plasma crystal, observed experimentally by Du et al. [Phys. Rev. E 89, 021101(R) (2014)PRESCM1539-375510.1103/PhysRevE.89.021101], is explained in simulations and theory. We use th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2017-02, Vol.118 (7), p.075002-075002, Article 075002
Main Authors: Laut, I, Räth, C, Zhdanov, S K, Nosenko, V, Morfill, G E, Thomas, H M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Channels
Computer simulation
Dynamic tests
Ion charge
Plasma crystals
Propulsion
Terminals
Wakes
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Summary:The wake-mediated propulsion of an "extra" particle in a channel of two neighboring rows of a two-dimensional plasma crystal, observed experimentally by Du et al. [Phys. Rev. E 89, 021101(R) (2014)PRESCM1539-375510.1103/PhysRevE.89.021101], is explained in simulations and theory. We use the simple model of a pointlike ion wake charge to reproduce this intriguing effect in simulations, allowing for a detailed investigation and a deeper understanding of the underlying dynamics. We show that the nonreciprocity of the particle interaction, owing to the wake charges, is responsible for a broken symmetry of the channel that enables a persistent self-propelled motion of the extra particle. We find good agreement of the terminal extra-particle velocity with our theoretical considerations and with experiments.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.118.075002