Formation of liquidlike and crystalline structures in dusty plasmas

Under certain conditions in a dusty plasma, which is a low-temperature plas ma with dust grains, the strong interaction between grains can give rise to gas-liquid-solid-state phase transitions. A study is made of ordered (liqu idlike and crystalline) grain structures in various kinds of dusty plasmas: a thermal plasma at atmospheric pressure, a plasma of a dc glow discharge, and a UV radiation-driven plasma. The results of experimental observations of ordered dust structures are reported, and the characteristic features o f the dust structures and the conditions for their appearance are discussed . (C) 2000 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".