The equilibrium, stability, and trapping of dust particles associated with vertical motions in the plasma sheath and presheath are calculated, taking into account the dependence of the variables (such as dust charge, ion flow velocity, etc.) on the local position in the sheath or presheath region of a collisional plasma with an ionization source. It is demonstrated that an increase of the rate of ionization considerably influences the equilibrium positions of dust grains, shifting them toward the electrode as well as increasing the maximum possible (equilibrium) levitation grain size.

• Received 23 February 2000

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.62.2754