Coulomb expansion of a thin dust cloud observed experimentally under afterglow plasma conditions

The Coulomb expansion of a thin cloud charged dust particles was observed experimentally, in plasma afterglow. This occurs due to mutual repulsion among positively particles, after electrons and ions have escaped the chamber volume. In experiment, two-dimensional initially levitated glow-discharge plasma. power then switched off produce afterglow conditions. subsequent fall slowed by reversing electric force, an upward direction, allowing extended observation. At early time, measurements horizontal direction are found be accurately modeled equation state for uniformly disk. Finally, bouncing from lower electrode avoided lowering impact velocity <100 mm/s.