SIMULATION OF PLASMA SHIELDING OF DUST PARTICLES IN ANISOTROPIC PLASMAS

We consider a dielectric dust particle immersed in a plasma with one s pecies lions) drifting relative to the dust particle. The equilibrium potential around the dust particle is studied with a self consistent f irst principle kinetic model. The anisotropy of the trajectories of th e plasma particles is considered and the nonuniformity of the dust cha rging is described in detail. The simulations show the presence of a d ipole field around the dust particle, with a significant attractive re gion. The results of the simulation work are compared successfully wit h a simple theoretical estimate.