About cookies on this site Our websites require some cookies to function properly (required). In addition, other cookies may be used with your consent to analyze site usage, improve the user experience and for advertising. For more information, please review your options. By visiting our website, you agree to our processing of information as described in IBM’sprivacy statement. To provide a smooth navigation, your cookie preferences will be shared across the IBM web domains listed here.
Publication
Physical Review E
Paper
Polarization force on a charged particulate in a nonuniform plasma
Abstract
The force on a charged particulate or "dust grain" in a plasma is derived in the presence of a density gradient and an externally applied electric field. The Debye sheath around the particulate is usually deformed (i.e., polarized) under such conditions, and exerts a force on the particulate. This sheath-polarization force is always in the direction of decreasing Debye length, regardless of the sign of the particulate charge. The magnitude of the polarization force is estimated under typical glow discharge conditions. © 1994 The American Physical Society.