Effect of Charge Fluctuations on the Debye Shielding and Energy Loss of N × M Projectiles in a Dusty Plasma

Abstract

The electrostatic potential and the energy loss by N × M projectiles propagating through a dusty plasma are derived within the frame work of dielectric theory for different dust parameters of interest. An interference contribution of these projectiles to the potential and energy loss is observed which depends upon the separation between them and their orientation. The dynamic dust charge produces a potential well instead of a coulombic type potential for a slowly moving test charge having small charge relaxation rate and energy is gained by the charged projectiles. However, fast charge relaxation enhances the energy loss and some peaks are also observed showing the excitation of some electrostatic modes. These results are useful to explain the coagulation of dust grains in laboratory and space plasma as well as in the field ion-beam driven ICF scheme.