Analysis of dusty plasma in the positive column of glow discharges

The radial distributions of ions, electrons and dust particles in the positive column of glow discharges are investigated in a triple-pole diffusion model. The dust particles are mainly trapped in the region around the column axis where the electrostatic potential is the highest. The presence of the dust particles results in the ion density increasing and the electron density decreasing in the dust-trapped region. The dust-trapped region is wider for a higher dust temperature or a smaller particulate radius. The ions and electrons in the dust-free region away from the column axis are in ambipolar diffusion.