Vortices in dust clouds under microgravity: A simple explanation

Clouds of dust particles in radio frequency discharges often show a periodic vortexlike motion, especially near the edges of the electrodes or near the tip of an electrostatic probe. These vortices often last as long as the discharge is powered. In a previous paper we have followed a small number of individual dust particles in a discharge under microgravity conditions, moving under the influence of forces computed by means of a self-consistent two-dimensional hydrodynamic model, and interacting via a screened Coulomb potential. The resulting motion showed the vortexlike rotation. In this paper we discuss this phenomenon in more detail, using a simplified model with harmonic forces, but extending the simulations to three dimensions. Stable vortices are observed, which show a more chaotic behavior than in the two-dimensional situation. Particles frequently jump up and down between two counterrotating vortices. The generation of the vortices can be ascribed to a nonzero rotation of the net global force vector field, which is the sum of the ion drag force, the electric force, and the thermophoretic force in case of the experiments. Comparison of experimental data with simulations using a model potential may open a way to unravel the forces inside a cloud of dust particles.