Onset of cavity deformation upon subsonic motion of a projectile in a fluid complex plasma

We study deformation of a cavity around a large projectile moving with subsonic velocity in the cloud of small dust particles. To solve this problem, we employ the Navier--Stokes equation for a compressible fluid with due regard for friction between dust particles and atoms of neutral gas. The solutions shows that due to friction, the pressure of dust cloud at the boundary of the cavity behind the projectile can become negative, which entails formation of a microscopic void free from dust particles -- the cavity deformation. Corresponding threshold velocity is calculated, which is found to decrease with increasing cavity size. Measurement of such velocity makes it possible to estimate the static pressure inside the dust cloud.
Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures