Collective electrostatic interaction of particles in a complex plasma with ion flow

Linearized electrostatic potential of a test charge in a complex (dusty) plasma with ion flow is found. Dust component is treated as a continuous medium. Positions of dust particles are assumed to be fixed (unperturbed by the test charge). Calculations are performed using the static dielectric response function found in the framework of the fluid model. The model includes ion loss and ion creation caused respectively by absorption on dust particles and ionization. Dust charge variations and friction force on ions (ion-neutral and ion-dust friction) are also present in the model. The main point of the paper is the potential distribution in the plane containing the test charge and oriented perpendicular to the ion flow. The possibility of the electrostatic attraction of two same sign charges in the plane perpendicular to the ion flow is investigated. (c) 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.