Experimental observation of Coulomb ordered structure in sprays of thermal dusty plasmas

Abstract

A macroscopic Coulomb-ordered structure of polydisperse CeO2 particles is observed experimentally in a laminar spray of weakly ionized thermal plasma under atmospheric pressure and temperature of about 1700 K. Diagnostic instruments are used to measure plasma parameters. The particles are charged positively and carry about 103 electron charges. The calculated values of Coulomb coupling parameter γp is > 120, corresponding to a strongly coupled plasma.