Experimental data on the active Brownian motion of single particles in the RF (radio-frequency) discharge plasma under the influence of thermophoretic force, induced by laser radiation, depending on the material and type of surface of the particle, are presented. Unlike passive Brownian particles, active Brownian particles, also known as micro-swimmers, move directionally. It was shown that different dust particles in gas discharge plasma can convert the energy of a surrounding medium (laser radiation) into the kinetic energy of motion. The movement of the active particle is a superposition of chaotic motion and self-propulsion.

The results of the analysis of the mean square displacement and the trajectories of moving polymer particles with a modified surface in a dusty plasma monolayer under the influence of laser radiation are presented. It has been revealed that the dynamics of particle motion in a monolayer consists of three modes: finite motion within confinement, Brownian motion, and combined directional chaotic motion. The results of the analysis of linear displacement along and across the direction of motion of dust particles at various values of the laser radiation power are presented too. It has been shown experimentally that polymer particles with a modified surface are active Brownian particles and their activity grows with increasing laser radiation power.

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