Dissipative dark solitons in a dc complex plasma

The observation of dark solitons in a three-dimensional dc complex plasma is presented. The experiments are performed using neon gas at a pressure of 18 Pa and melamine-formaldehyde particles with a diameter of 3.43 μm. The waves are excited by a short pulse produced by the circular electrical-manipulative electrode built in inside the discharge glass tube. The wave speed is measured to be of the order of 15 mm/s. The propagation time of the observed dark soliton is approximately 10–15 times longer than the damping time.