Publication Date:
2014-09-09
Description:
We consider the shell structure of Coulomb clusters in an axially symmetric parabolic trap exhibiting a confining potential U c ( ρ , z ) = ( m ω 2 / 2 ) ( ρ 2 + α z 2 ) . Assuming an anisotropic parameter α = 4 (corresponding to experiments employing a cusp magnetic trap under microgravity conditions), we have calculated cluster configurations for particle numbers N = 3 to 30. We have shown that clusters with N ≤ 12 initially remain flat, transitioning to three-dimensional configurations as N increases. For N = 8, we have calculated the configurations of minimal potential energy for all values of α and found the points of configuration transitions. For N = 13 and 23, we discuss the influence of both the shielding and anisotropic parameter on potential energy, cluster size, and shell structure.
Print ISSN:
1070-664X
Electronic ISSN:
1089-7674
Topics:
Physics
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