Effective interaction potential and ordered structures of dust particles in a gas-discharge plasma

An effective potential is proposed for the interaction between dust particles in a gas-discharge plasma which takes account of the following physical factors: the spatial dependence of the particle charges on the floating potential of the plasma, anisotropy of the interaction, resulting from focusing of the negatively charged particles of the drift ion current, and aspects of screening of the dust particles by plasma electrons and ions which interact strongly with them and recombine faster in their vicinity and on their surface. Monte Carlo calculations explain the formation of threadlike structures of dispersed particles, and also “transverse crystallization” of these “threads” in a stratified gas-discharge plasma.