Mobility in a strongly coupled dusty plasma with gas

Abstract

The mobility of a charged projectile in a strongly coupled dusty plasma is simulated. A net force $F$, opposed by a combination of collisional scattering and gas friction, causes projectiles to drift at a mobility-limited velocity $u_p$. The mobility $μ_p=u_p/F$ of the projectile's motion is obtained. Two regimes depending on $F$ are identified. In the high force regime, $μ_p \propto F^{0.23}$, and the scattering cross section $σ_s$ diminishes as $u_p^{-6/5}$. Results for $σ_s$ are compared with those for a weakly coupled plasma and for two-body collisions in a Yukawa potential. The simulation parameters are based on microgravity plasma experiments.