Defect-Induced Deformations in Complex Plasmas

Solids are known to have crystal structures, which are often disrupted by defects. The defects can form strings separating crystal grains and disturbing the local number density and orientation of the lattice causing deformations. Using data from complex plasma experiment and molecular dynamics simulation, we have quantified and visualized these deformations. Complex (dusty) plasmas are mixtures of micron-sized spheres with ion-electron plasmas. They can be in solid, liquid, or gaseous states, exhibiting phase transitions, and can be used as model systems to study basic properties of solids at the kinetic level.