Perspective: dusty plasma experiments-a learning tool for physics graduate students

Plasma is an ionized gas that responses collectively to any external (or internal) perturbation. Introducing micron-sized solid dust particles into plasma makes it more interesting. The dust particles acquire large negative charges on their surface in low-temperature laboratory plasma and exhibit collective behavior similar to the ambient plasma medium. Some remarkable features of the charged dust grain medium (dusty plasma) allow us to use it as a model system to understand a number of physics phenomena at a microscopic level. In this perspective paper, the author highlights the role of dusty plasma experiments as a learning tool for undergraduate and post-graduate physics students at higher academic institutions. Students could have great opportunities to understand basic physical phenomena as well as learn about many advanced data analysis tools and techniques by performing dusty plasma (plasma) experiments. A few simple experiments in a single dusty plasma device that connect the basic physics phenomena are discussed.

Automated summary

Dusty plasma serves as a model system for understanding physical phenomena and is a valuable tool for teaching and academic research experiments. Students can gain insights into basic physics phenomena and learn advanced data analysis tools through dusty plasma experiments.