Evolution of shear-induced melting in dusty plasma
arXiv:1004.0661 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.165003
Abstract
The spatiotemporal development of melting is studied experimentally in a 2D dusty plasma suspension. Starting with an ordered lattice, and then suddenly applying localized shear, a pair of counter-propagating flow regions develop. A transition between two melting stages is observed before a steady state is reached. Melting spreads with a front that propagates at the transverse sound speed. Unexpectedly, coherent longitudinal waves are excited in the flow region.
5 pages text, 3 figures, in press Physical Review Letters 2010.