Abstract:
In this paper hydrodynamic and kinetic approaches to model low-pressure capacitively
coupled complex radio-frequency discharges are discussed and applied to discharges under
micro-gravity. Complex plasmas contain dust grains with a large negative charge and are
characterized by a strong coupling between the properties of the plasma and those of the dust
grains. After a discussion of the physics and methods involved, examples are presented from
modelling of experiments under micro-gravity in the PKE-Nefedov reactor on board the
International Space Station. These discharges are simulated with a 2D cylindrically symmetric
hydrodynamic model.
Kinetic effects are studied with a 1D particle-in-cell plus Monte Carlo model in which
capture and scattering by dust grains is included. Since experiments are often performed at
low pressures, the electron energy distribution function is no longer determined by the local
plasma properties. This has consequences for the charging of the dust. Results of simulations
with this model are compared with the hydrodynamic results. In addition, we address the
behaviour of the dust charge in decaying plasmas.