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arXiv · 1001.0753

Power law behavior for the zigzag transition in a Yukawa cluster

T. E. Sheridan·Andrew L. Magyar
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Abstract

We provide direct experimental evidence that the one-dimensional (1D) to two-dimensional (2D) zigzag transition in a Yukawa cluster exhibits power law behavior. Configurations of a six-particle dusty (complex) plasma confined in a biharmonic potential well are characterized as the well anisotropy is reduced. When the anisotropy is large the particles are in a 1D straight line configuration. As the anisotropy is decreased the cluster undergoes a zigzag transition to a 2D configuration. The measured dependence of cluster width on anisotropy is well described by a power law. A second transition from the zigzag to an elliptical configuration is also observed. The results are in very good agreement with a model for particles interacting through a Yukawa potential.

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T. E. Sheridan, Andrew L. Magyar. 2010-01-05. Power law behavior for the zigzag transition in a Yukawa cluster. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3511442

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