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Dynamic Entropy of Two-Dimensional Active Brownian Systems in Colloidal Plasmas
Xeniya G Koss1,2, Evgenii A Kononov1,2, Irina I Lisina1
1Joint Institute for High Temperatures, Russian Academy of Sciences, 125412 Moscow, Russia.
Active Brownian micrograins in plasma exhibit altered motion with increased laser power. Janus particles shift from chaotic to spiral paths, while fully covered grains show a transition from ordered to disordered structures.
Area of Science:
- Plasma physics
- Soft matter physics
- Statistical mechanics
Background:
- Active Brownian particles (ABPs) are model systems for self-driven entities.
- Understanding microparticle dynamics in radiofrequency (RF) plasmas is crucial for materials science and industrial applications.
- Previous studies have explored ABP behavior, but detailed analysis in complex plasma environments is ongoing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of varying laser power (and thus kinetic temperature) on the motion of active Brownian micrograins in RF discharge plasmas.
- To differentiate the dynamic behaviors of fully metal-covered plastic grains versus Janus particles under these conditions.
- To analyze structural changes and phase transitions within the microparticle system.
Main Methods:
- Experimental tracking of individual microparticle trajectories in RF plasma.
- Calculation of pair correlation functions to characterize particle arrangements.
- Analysis of Mean First Passage Time (MFPT) dynamic entropy, fractal dimension, and mean localization area as functions of kinetic temperature.
Main Results:
- Increased laser power leads to significant changes in micrograin motion.
- Janus particles transition from chaotic to spiral trajectories.
- Fully covered particles exhibit a dynamical phase transition from ordered to less ordered structures.
Conclusions:
- The kinetic temperature, controlled by laser power, dictates the collective behavior and structural organization of active Brownian micrograins in RF plasmas.
- Different microparticle designs (Janus vs. fully covered) display distinct responses to changing energy input.
- The study reveals a tunable transition in microparticle system dynamics and structure.
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