Plasma-Crystal-Experiment


Below are just a few of the possibilities, which have been recognised already and which to some extent are already under investigation. Clearly, at present the more academic, fundamental research is primarily addressed. This is normal and good. Possible applications need to build up on the basic knowledge assembled in order to avoid costly mistakes.

The properties of plasma crystals are best evaluated in relation to other crystal systems. This highlights common properties as well as areas of complementarity, and illustrates where plasma crystals may be of special usefulness and significance.

At present, plasma crystals are exciting more at a fundamental research level. They provide a Yukawa-type strongly coupled system and will undoubtedly influence the field of "strongly coupled plasmas" considerably over the next few years. In addition, they are seen as an interesting macroscopic model for crystal physics, perhaps allowing access to nonlinear phenomena (e.g. phase transitions) in a way not possible so far. Presumably -- as is the case with most new fundamental discoveries -- they might eventually be used for some commercial applications. Whatever the future holds, the discovery of plasma crystals has certainly enriched science and will continue to do so for a long time to come.