Observation of Kolmogorov turbulence due to multiscale vortices in dusty plasma experiments

Abstract

We report the experimental observation of fully developed Kolmogorov turbulence originating from self-excited vortex flows in a three-dimensional (3D) dust cloud. The characteristic −5/3 scaling of 3D Kolmogorov turbulence is consistent in both the spatial and temporal energy spectra within a statistical variation of experimental data. Additionally, the 2/3 scaling in the second-order structure function further supports the presence of Kolmogorov turbulence. We also identified a slight deviation in the tails of the probability distribution functions for velocity gradients, a reflection of intermittency. The experiment showed the formation of a dust cloud in the diffused plasma region away from the electrodes. The dust rotation was observed in multiple experimental campaigns under different discharge conditions at different spatial locations and background plasma environments.