Floating potential of an isolated macroparticle in vacuum arc deposition plasmas

The vacuum arc deposition (VAD) plasma, as a cathode governed plasma, is not in a local thermal equilibrium state in nature, and the ions emitted from the cathode arc spots characterize high directed velocity in excess of their thermal value. Taking this special feature into account, the charging characteristics of an isolated macroparticle immersed in a VAD plasma are analyzed. The floating potentials of the macroparticles as a result of charging are calculated under thin and thick sheath case.