Particle simulation of dust structures in plasmas

In the earth's gravity, the dust in plasmas can form into a solid-like stat e in the plasma sheath. These ordered structures occur due to the balance o f the interparticle forces, the gravitational force, and the sheath electri c field, We have developed a particle simulation model to study the behavio r of strongly coupled dust in plasmas under conditions of normal gravity an d microgravity, The model includes a complete first-principles representati on of the short-range strong forces of a shielded Coulomb system, as well a s the long-range wake forces of a plasma with the ions streaming through th e dust. The effects of charged particle scattering with neutrals and with o ther charges are included. Magnetic fields in the plasma may also be incorp orated in the model.