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Title: Simulation study of spheroidal dust gains charging: Applicable to dust grain alignment

Journal Article · · Physics of Plasmas
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2338568· OSTI ID:20860229
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Physics Department, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, Iran and Department of Atomic and Molecular Physics, University of Tabriz, Tabriz (Iran, Islamic Republic of)

The charging process of nonspherical dust grains in an unmagnetized plasma as well as in the presence of a magnetic field is studied. It is shown that unlike the spherical dust grain, due to nonhomogeneity of charge distribution on the spheroidal dust surface, the resultant electric forces on electrons and ions are different. This process produces some surface charge density gradient on the nonspherical grain surface. Effects of a magnetic field and other plasma parameters on the properties of the dust particulate are studied. It has been shown that the alignment direction could be changed or even reversed with the magnetic field and plasma parameters. Finally, the charge distribution on the spheroidal grain surface is studied for different ambient parameters including plasma temperature, neutral collision frequency, and the magnitude of the magnetic field.

OSTI ID:
20860229
Journal Information:
Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 13, Issue 9; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2338568; (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English