Plasma kinetics around a dust grain in an ion flow.

Abstract

The kinetics of plasma particles around a stationary dust grain in the presence of an ion flow is studied using a three-dimensional molecular dynamics simulation method. The model is self-consistent, involving the dynamics of plasma electrons and ions as well as charging of the dust grain. The effect of ion focusing is investigated as a function of the ion flow velocity. Distributions of electron and ion number densities, and electrostatic plasma potential are obtained.