Numerical model for low-frequency ion waves in magnetized dusty plasmas

Abstract

A two-dimensional (2-D) numerical model is presented to study low-frequency ion waves and instabilities in magnetized dusty plasmas. Fundamental differences exist between dusty plasmas and electron-ion plasmas because of dust charging processes. Therefore, a primary goal of this investigation is to consider the unique effects of dust charging on collective effects in dusty plasmas. The background plasma electrons and ions are treated as two interpenetrating fluids whose densities are self-consistently reduced by dust charging. The dust is treated with a particle-in-cell (PIC) model in which the dust charge varies with time according to the standard dust charging model. Fourier spectral methods with a predictor-corrector time advance are used to temporally evolve the background plasma electron and ion equations. The dust charge fluctuation mode and the damping of lower hybrid oscillations due to dust charging, as well as plasma instabilities associated with dust expansion into a background plasma, are investigated using our numerical model. The numerical simulation results show good agreement with previous theoretical predictions and provide further insight into dust charging effects on wave modes and instabilities in dusty plasmas.