Properties of cluster plasma are considered, the term implying that clusters and small particles present in a plasma are involved in effective growth and evaporation processes. Instability against such processes arises both in uniform and nonuniform cluster plasmas. The charging of clusters and small particles is analyzed. The properties of an arc plasma are studied along with cluster nucleation and radiation processes proceeded in it. Arc plasma presents an opportune medium for the transformation of an atomic vapor into a cluster beam, and cluster plasma is also an effective light source. Methods for cluster beam generation are presented and a cluster generation technique using afterglow plasmas is discussed. Relaxation, cluster charging, electric and transport processes in an afterglow cluster plasma are analyzed.

PACS: 36.40.Vz, 36.40.Wa, 61.46.+w, 85.42.+m (all) DOI: 10.1070/PU2000v043n05ABEH000722 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2000/5/b/ 000165080500002 Citation: Smirnov B M "Cluster plasma" Phys. Usp. 43 453–491 (2000) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks @article{Smirnov:2000, author = {B. M. Smirnov}, title = {Cluster plasma}, publisher = {Physics-Uspekhi}, year = {2000}, journal = {Phys. Usp.}, volume = {43}, number = {5}, pages = {453-491}, url = {https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2000/5/b/}, doi = {10.1070/PU2000v043n05ABEH000722} } Оригинал: Смирнов Б М «Кластерная плазма» УФН 170 495–534 (2000); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0170.200005b.0495