THE RESONANCE PROBE - A TOOL FOR IONOSPHERIC AND SPACE RESEARCH
Abstract
Previous experiments on the rf impedance between two probes immersed in a plasma, and on the incremental dc characteristics of an rf modulated probe, have suggested that resonance effects occur at the local electron plasma frequency, omega sub p, and can be interpreted to obtain a direct measurement of electron density, free from many of the errors to which conventional Langmuir probe techniques are prone. A simplified model which gives predictions agreeing well with experiment is presented. This model is developed and applied to several different probe geometries of interest in ionospheric and space studies. Additional rf techniques are suggested which may prove superior to incremental dc observations for measurement and data coding for transmission to terrestrial stations. An assessment is made of the various regions of applicability of the resonance probe in space, and it is concluded that a detailed theory of the effects of magnetic field on the resonance is required to increase its usefulness for ionospheric probing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0608440
Entities
People
- F. W. Crawford
- R. S. Harp
Organizations
- Stanford University