Effect of plasma nonuniformity on electron energy distribution in a dusty plasma

The effect of plasma nonuniformity on the electron energy distribution function (EEDF) and plasma parameters such as the ion density, electron temperature and dust charge in a dusty plasma are studied using a Boltzmann equation for the electrons and the fluid equations for the ions. The EEDF and the plasma parameters are obtained taking into account electron diffusion. The effect of the dusts on the electron energy-relaxation length is shown to be significant. The latter decreases as the dust density and/or size increase. Only at relatively high dust densities/sizes do the results of the homogeneous Boltzmann equation approach that of the more accurate kinetic equation.