The effect of the gas temperature gradient on dust structures in a glow-discharge plasma

An experimental investigation is performed of the effect of the neutral gas temperature gradient on plasma-dust formations in the positive column of a glow discharge. It is demonstrated that the thermophoretic forces arising due to the temperature gradient are comparable with radial electric fields and define the condition of formation and different shapes of plasma-dust s tructures, in particular, the formation of rings in the vicinity of tube wa lls. A model description of this effect is given. (C) 2001 MAIK "Nauka/Inte rperiodica".