Detection of dusty plasma near the E-ring of Saturn

Abstract

We present several independent in-situ measurements, which provide evidence that charged dust in the E-ring interacts collectively with the dense surrounding plasma disk of Saturn, i.e., form a system of dust-plasma interaction. The results are based on data sampled by the Radio and Plasma Wave Science (RPWS) investigation onboard Cassini, which allows for interferometry of plasma density inhomogeneities (δ n/ n) with two antenna elements and a Langmuir probe sensor. The interferometer experiment detects two ion populations; one co-rotating with the planetary magnetic field and another moving with near Keplerian speed around Saturn. The full range of RPWS measurements indicates that the Keplerian population consists of colder ions ( T_i<few eV), which would interact with the electrical potential cavities associated with the few volts negatively charged E-ring water-rich dust grains. The presence of the charged dust inhibits E× B pick-up of freshly ionized particles by the rotating magnetic field of Saturn, since the local potential gradients near the dust grains are stronger than the large-scale co-rotation electric field. Even so, most ions are eventually energised to energies above the dust potentials of a few volts and become part of a hotter co-rotating ion population. The observed results have direct relevance to the interactions occurring in planet forming accretion disks around young stars, since the physical environment is similar.