Simulation study of the sheath region of a processing plasma with two-temperature electrons and charged nanoparticles

A four-fluid model is used to investigate the structure of a dusty plasma sheath with two species of electrons, i.e., cold and hot electrons. Numerical results show that, in the presence of hot electrons, regular fluctuations are developed in the spatial profiles of the sheath potential and number densities of the plasma and dust nanoparticles. The amplitude and spatial period of the fluctuations depend on the hot electron parameters. The sheath width shows a non-monotonic dependence on the temperature and number density of the hot electrons, as well as the density and Mach number of the nanoparticles.

► A four-fluid model is used to study the structure of a dusty plasma sheath with two species of electrons.
► In the presence of hot electrons, spatial fluctuations are developed in the profiles of the sheath quantities.
► The amplitude and spatial period of the fluctuations depend on the temperature and number density of the hot electrons.
► The fluctuations are enhanced by the increase in the number density and Mach number of the ions.
► The sheath width shows a non-monotonic dependence on the temperature and number density of the hot electrons.