Charging of a dust particle in a plasma with a nonextensive ion distribution function

The dust charge neutralization in a plasma with nonextensive ions is considered. The condition that the total current to a grain be zero is expressed in terms of the Lambert function. The fall-off of the net negative dust charge is then considered and a parameter study conducted, assuming hydrogen as well as argon plasma. Owing to ion nonextensivity, the dust charge reduction becomes much faster. Moreover, stronger is the ions correlation, more important is the involved electron depletion for a complete dust decharging. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.