Using spectroscopic imaging techniques to investigate the dynamics of weakly-ionized dusty plasma

A cryogenically cooled, weakly-ionized laboratory argon plasma contains growing ice grains. Previous research suggests that ice grain morphology have a notable influence on its dynamics. Planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) imaging will be used to map the three-dimensional temperature/density of the argon neutral species within the plasma volume. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) will be attempted on the high-speed image of the laser-illuminated ice grains to generate high resolution in plane velocity maps. The correlation between neutral and ice grain maps will be examined across various time scales and plasma initial conditions. These maps will be used to relate thermophoresis and drag forces acting on ice grains to the flow of argon neutrals, thereby identifying the momentum transfer mechanisms within the plasma.