Evolution of shear-induced melting in dusty plasma

TL;DR

This study experimentally investigates how localized shear induces melting in a 2D dusty plasma, revealing a transition between melting stages, propagation of melting fronts at sound speed, and excitation of longitudinal waves.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the dynamics of shear-induced melting and wave excitation in dusty plasma systems.

Findings

Melting propagates with a front at transverse sound speed.

A transition occurs between two distinct melting stages.

Coherent longitudinal waves are excited during melting.

Abstract

The spatiotemporal development of melting is studied experimentally in a 2D dusty plasma suspension. Starting with an ordered lattice, and then suddenly applying localized shear, a pair of counter-propagating flow regions develop. A transition between two melting stages is observed before a steady state is reached. Melting spreads with a front that propagates at the transverse sound speed. Unexpectedly, coherent longitudinal waves are excited in the flow region.