Positive column of glow discharge with dust particles

Abstract

The effect of microparticles on the current-voltage characteristics (CVC) and on the distribution of plasma components in a positive column of a glow discharge in air is studied both experimentally and numerically. The analysis is carried out on the basis of a diffusion description of the plasma of a discharge and the description of flows of ions and electrons onto the surfaces of dust particles in the orbit motion limited approximation. The CVC change is found to be connected with an increase in the volumetric losses of the charge on particles and the drift of a substantial part of the free electrons onto the particles. The radial distributions of the plasma components, the radial electric field, and the charges of the particles are calculated. The effect of a dust cloud on the configuration of an electric field and the CVC of a positive column of a glow discharge is analyzed.