We suggest a theoretical model of dust clustering in a low-temperature plasma that includes a description of all the main stages of this process, from the initial growth and coagulation of particles to the saturation phase. Based on the constructed theory, we have explained the experimentally observed threshold behavior of the coagulation process for the first time and estimated the critical microparticle size upon reaching which transition from the growth of particles through the deposition of material from the gas phase to theircoagulation becomes possible. Using the derived analytical expressions for the coagulation rate constant, we numerically simulated the clustering process based on data taken for real experimental conditions and studied the evolution of the particle size distribution function during the entire process. A direct comparison of the numerical calculations with experimental data shows them to be in good agreement with the actually observed pattern of the phenomenon.
展开▼
