  Three dimensional rotatory modes of oscillations in a one-dimensional chain
of rodlike charged particles or dust grains in a plasma are investigated. The
dispersion characteristics of the modes are analyzed. The stability of
different equilibrium orientations of the rods, phase transitions between the
different equilibria, and a critical dependence on the relative strength of the
confining potential are analyzed. The relations of these processes with liquid
crystals, nanotubing, and plasma coating are discussed.
