Published June 2008 | Version v1
Journal article Metadata-only

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

Creators

  • 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)

Description

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 Qdres∼(-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

Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.1063/1.2938387;

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Physics of Plasmas
Journal Volume
15
Journal Issue
6
Journal Page Range
p. 063705-063705.11
ISSN
1070-664X
CODEN
PHPAEN

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
40002992
Subject category
S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
Descriptors DEI
AFTERGLOW; CHARGE DISTRIBUTION; DIFFUSION; DUSTS; PARTICLES; PLASMA; SIMULATION

Optional Information

Notes
(c) 2008 American Institute of Physics