We present a theoretical model for studying the interactions of charged particles with two-dimensional strongly coupled dusty plasmas, based on the quasilocalized charge approximation in which the static pair distribution function of a dust layer is determined from a molecular dynamics simulation. General expressions are derived for the perturbed dust-layer density, the induced potential in plasma, and the energy loss of a charged particle moving parallel to the dust layer. Numerical results show that the structure of Mach cones, excited in the dust layer by the charged particle, strongly depends on the plasma parameters such as the coupling parameter, the screening parameter, and the discharge pressure, as well as on the particle speed. In addition, it is found that the energy dissipation suffered by slow charged particles can be significantly enhanced in strongly coupled dusty plasmas when compared to the dissipation in weakly coupled plasmas.

• Received 4 August 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.73.016404