Transverse optical mode in a one-dimensional Yukawa chain

Abstract

A transverse optical mode was observed in a one-dimensional Yukawa chain. Charged particles, suspended in a strongly coupled dusty plasma, were arranged in a 1D periodic structure. Particle displacement in the direction perpendicular to the chain was restored by the confining potential. The dispersion relation of phonons was measured, verifying that the optical mode has negative dispersion, with phase and group velocities that are oppositely directed. A theoretical dispersion relation is presented and compared to the experiment and a molecular dynamics simulation.