Cluster formation in a granular medium fluidized by vibrations in low gravity

We report an experimental study of a "gas" of inelastically colliding parti cles, excited by vibrations in low gravity. Ln the case of a dilute granula r medium, we observe a spatially homogeneous gaslike regime, the pressure o f which scales like the 3/2 power of the vibration velocity. When the densi ty of the medium is increased, the spatially homogeneous fluidized state is no longer stable but displays the formation of a motionless dense cluster surrounded by low particle density regions.