Dynamics of dust grains in an electron-dust plasma induced by solar radiation under microgravity conditions

Abstract

In this paper the results of experimental investigation of the dynamic behaviour of macroparticles charged via photoemission are presented. The experimental data have been obtained for bronze particles subjected to solar radiation under conditions of microgravity (on board the Mir space station). The distribution of velocity, temperatures and charge, as well as the friction coefficient and diffusion constants, have been found. The analysis of the results obtained has shown that the polarization effects of opposite charges may appreciably influence the transport processes in a two-component electron-dust plasma, consisting of positively charged dust and emitted electrons.