Two-component plasma in a gravitational field

TL;DR

This paper analyzes a two-dimensional two-component plasma under gravity, providing exact solutions for density profiles and revealing sedimentation behavior with particle stratification.

Contribution

It presents an exactly solvable model for sedimentation equilibrium of charged colloids in a gravitational field at a specific temperature parameter.

Findings

Heavy particles settle at the bottom.

Light counterions form a floating cloud at altitude.

Density profiles are explicitly computed.

Abstract

In this paper we study a model for the sedimentation equilibrium of a charged colloidal suspension: the two-dimensional two-component plasma in a gravitational field which is exactly solvable at a special value of the reduced inverse temperature Gamma=2. The density profiles are computed. The heavy particles accumulate at the bottom of the cointainer. If the container is high enough, an excess of light counterions form a cloud floating at some altitude.