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The effects of electron energy distribution function on the plasma sheath structure in the presence of charged nanoparticles
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 March 2020
Abstract
The effects of the electron energy distribution function (EEDF) on the structure of a dusty plasma sheath are investigated. Here, it is assumed that the electrons obey a Druyvesteyn-type distribution with a parameter $x$ controlling the shape of the EEDF. The Druyvesteyn-like distribution tends to a Maxwellian distribution as $x$ varies from 2 to 1. Using the orbital motion limited theory, the incident electron current on the dust is evaluated for a given $x$. The results of numerical simulations are compared with those of a Maxwellian distribution. It was found that the sheath dynamics depends strongly on the magnitude of $x$. The sheath thickness increases monotonically with increasing $x$. However, the absolute dust charge decreases and, as a result, the accelerating ion drag force is weakened and thus the dust number density is enhanced. For a plasma with a Druyvesteyn-like distribution, the Bohm speed is a function of $x$ and increases with increasing $x$.
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- © Cambridge University Press 2020
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