Elliptical dust growth in astrophysical plasmas

Stark, C.R. , Potts, H.E. and Diver, D.A. (2006) Elliptical dust growth in astrophysical plasmas. Astronomy and Astrophysics, 457(2), pp. 365-370. (doi: 10.1051/0004-6361:20064922)

Abstract

Elongated dust grains exist in astrophysical plasmas. Anisotropic growth of elliptical dust grains, via plasma deposition, occurs if the deposited ions are non-inertial. In reality the extent of such growth depends upon the initial kinetic energy of the ions and the magnitude of the electric field in the sheath. Simulations of the dynamics of the ions in the sheath are reported, showing how elliptical growth is related to the initial eccentricity and size of the seed relative to the sheath length. Consequences for the eventual fate of elliptical dust are then discussed.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Potts, Hugh and Diver, Professor Declan and Stark, Mr Craig
• Authors: Stark, C.R., Potts, H.E., and Diver, D.A.
• Subjects: Q Science > QB Astronomy; Q Science > QC Physics
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Research Group: Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Journal Name: Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Publisher: EDP Sciences
• ISSN: 0004-6361
• ISSN (Online): 1432-0746
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2006 EDP Sciences
• First Published: First published in Astronomy and Astrophysics 457(2):365-370
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher