title: Fluid-solid phase transitions in three-dimensional complex plasmas under microgravity conditions.
abstract: Phase behavior of large three-dimensional (3D) complex plasma systems under microgravity conditions onboard the International Space Station is investigated. The neutral gas pressure is used as a control parameter to trigger phase changes. Detailed analysis of structural properties and evaluation of three different melting-freezing indicators reveal that complex plasmas can exhibit melting by increasing the gas pressure. Theoretical estimates of complex plasma parameters allow us to identify main factors responsible for the observed behavior. The location of phase states of the investigated systems on a relevant equilibrium phase diagram is estimated. Important differences between the melting process of 3D complex plasmas under microgravity conditions and that of flat 2D complex plasma crystals in ground based experiments are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, D-85741 Garching, Germany.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Khrapak
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Klumov
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: V I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Molotkov
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lipaev
authors.forename: V N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Naumkin
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Ivlev
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schwabe
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Morfill
authors.forename: O F
authors.initials: OF
authors.lastname: Petrov
authors.forename: V E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Fortov
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Malentschenko
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Volkov
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D008956:Models, Chemical; D044367:Phase Transition; D058626:Plasma Gases / Q000737:chemistry*; D012212:Rheology / Q000379:methods*; D014893:Weightlessness
chemical_list: D058626:Plasma Gases