Temperature of microparticles in cryogenic gas-discharge plasma

A numerical analysis of microparticle heating in clouds, formed by microparticles, that were observed in a neon glow discharge plasma at cryogenic temperature has been carried out. The relationship between the temperature of the microparticle surface and the parameters of the cloud is demonstrated. It has been revealed that the collective effect of the cloud on the plasma results in a reduction in the heating of microparticles within the cloud, when compared to the heating of a test microparticle in a discharge with an identical value of discharge current and gas pressure. The temperature of a microparticle is observed to be contingent upon its position within the cloud. The evidence indicates that the temperature of the microparticles at the cloud periphery can exceed that at the cloud center. It was found that in denser clouds, the temperature profile of microparticles is levelled out.