Nonlinear dynamics of two particles in the RF trap

Abstract The dynamics of two particles in the rf trap is investigated theoretically. To solve the nonlinear equations of motion numerically, we introduce a new method based upon the Fourier expansion. Several new kinds of solutions including those that have a period two or four times the rf period are found and their stability diagrams in the parameter space are obtained. The results exhibit the bistability which may be related to the hysteresis observed in the phase transitions between the “crystal” state and the “cloud” state.