Influence of the ambipolar-to-free diffusion transition on dust particle charge in a complex plasma afterglow

Journal Article · Sun Jun 15 04:00:00 EDT 2008 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2938387· OSTI ID:21120471

Coueedel, L ^[1]; Samarian, A A ^[2]; Mikikian, M; Boufendi, L ^[3]

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1. School of Physics A28, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006 (Australia) and GREMI - Groupe de Recherches sur l'Energetique des Milieux Ionises, CNRS/Universite d'Orleans, 14 rue d'Issoudun, 45067 Orleans Cedex 2 (France)
2. School of Physics A28, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006 (Australia)
3. GREMI - Groupe de Recherches sur l'Energetique des Milieux Ionises, CNRS/Universite d'Orleans, 14 rue d'Issoudun, 45067 Orleans Cedex 2 (France)

The influence of diffusive losses on residual dust charge in a complex plasma afterglow has been investigated. The residual charge distribution was measured and exhibits a mean value Q{sub dres}{approx}(-3e-5e) with a tail in the positive region. The experimental results have been compared with simulated charge distributions. The dust residual charges were simulated based on a model developed to describe complex plasma decay. The experimental and simulated data show that the transition from ambipolar to free diffusion in the decaying plasma plays a significant role in determining the residual dust particle charges. The presence of positively charged dust particles is explained by a broadening of the charge distribution function in the afterglow plasma.

• OSTI ID: 21120471
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 15; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AFTERGLOW
CHARGE DISTRIBUTION
DIFFUSION
DUSTS
PARTICLES
PLASMA
SIMULATION