Influence of a charge-gradient force on dust acoustic waves

TL;DR

This paper investigates how charge-gradient forces, caused by charge variations in particles, affect dust acoustic wave propagation in complex plasmas, comparing their influence to polarization forces through numerical estimates.

Contribution

It introduces the impact of charge-gradient forces on dust acoustic waves and compares it with polarization forces in a specific plasma charging regime.

Findings

Charge-gradient force significantly influences wave propagation.

The effect magnitude varies with plasma conditions.

Numerical estimates quantify the force's impact.

Abstract

The influence of a charge-gradient force, associated with variations of the particle charge in response to external perturbations, on the propagation of low-frequency waves in weakly coupled complex (dusty) plasmas is investigated. The magnitude of the effect is compared with that due to polarization force, studied previously in the literature. Numerical estimates are presented for the regime, where the orbital motion limited approach to particle charging is relevant.