Charge of dust particles in a particle chain

TL;DR

This paper investigates the charge distribution and wakefield effects in vertically extended chains of dust particles within plasma sheaths, revealing how particle charge varies with height and the influence of upstream wakefields.

Contribution

It introduces a method to analyze the equilibrium state of dust particle chains to determine individual particle charges and wakefield magnitudes in plasma environments.

Findings

Charge on particles varies with height due to plasma conditions.

Wakefield effects influence the charge distribution in the chain.

The analysis provides insights into the structure of dust particle chains.

Abstract

Charged dust particles form structures which are extended in the vertical direction in the electrode sheath of a rf discharge when confined within a glass box. The charge on each particle as a function of height varies due to the changing plasma conditions and the wakefield of upstream particles. Here an analysis of the equilibrium state of chains of varying number of particles is analyzed to determine the charge on each particle within a vertically extended chain as well as the magnitude of the positive wakefield charge.