OPTICAL TECHNIQUES FOR CURRENT DENSITY MEASUREMENTS IN GASEOUS PLASMAS
Abstract
The distributions in current densities in a gaseous plasma is a quantity of great interest to those concerned with basic plasma research. The development is described of an external measuring technique applicable to the determination of current density variations in a plasma. This technique, utilizing suitably designed optical and electronic apparatus, introduces no secondary effects in the media being studied. A theoretical model relating light emanating from a gaseous plasma to its current density variations is used as a motivation for the development of appropriate instrumentation. An experimental program designed to test the feasibility of spatial, temporal, and spectroscopic resolution of the light output of a plasma in a manner consistent with the model, is described. On the basis of the results of this program, additional design criteria become apparent. The potential of optical current density measuring techniques in basic plasma research is discussed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 03, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0260041
Entities
People
- Menachem Balfour
Organizations
- New York University Tandon School of Engineering