Melting of a dust crystal with defects

The effect of defects on the melting of a two-layer dust Wigner crystal in the electrode layer of a radio-frequency gas discharge is investigated by L angevin molecular dynamics. Two types of defects have been included in the consideration: (a) point defects and dislocations and (b) particles levitat ing above and below a two-layer crystal (so-called strong defects). It is s hown that local melting of a two-layer crystal found experimentally is expl ained by the occurrence of strong defects located above the crystal. (C) 20 00 MAIK "Nauka / Interperiodica".