Dust charge fluctuation instability in a dusty plasma with equilibrium density and magnetic field inhomogeneities

Abstract

Dust charge fluctuation instability in a dusty plasma in the presence of equilibrium density and external/ambient static magnetic field inhomogeneities has been examined in detail. The plasma ions acquire a uniform drift speed due to the equilibrium magnetic field gradient. For strongly magnetized electrons and ions, the dust charge fluctuation effect is contributed dominantly by ion dynamics. This results in an instability when the ion drift speed exceeds the perpendicular phase velocity of the waves under consideration. © 2007 American Institute of Physics.