Tuning the Disorder Structure of Complex Plasmas Using an Electric Field

In this study, an electric field (E^*) has been used to tune the disorder structures of complex plasmas (CPs) using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The ψ(τ) (lattice correlation) and RDF (radial distribution function) are computed for CPs under the presence and absence of different E^* intensities to analyze structures. The influence of E^* strengths, coupling (Γ), and screening length (κ) on structure transitions is investigated. Without E^*, MD simulation results for ψ(τ) and RDF indicated self-organization of dust particles with increasing Γ and decreasing κ. Additionally, CPs subjected to higher E^* intensities exhibited signs of condensation and solidification. Achieving solidification required a significantly higher E^* intensity for disordered structures (nonideal gases), whereas liquid-like or nearly solid-like structures required intermediate to low E^* intensities. Moreover, to induce crystalline long-range order in the presence of E^*, by keeping the Γ constant, higher values of κ required a larger E^*. It was observed that CPs exhibited behavior akin to conventional electrorheological fluids in the presence of E^*. This characteristic renders CPs valuable for investigating electrorheological properties in soft and condensed matter physics.