AN ANALYTICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE FREE-MOLECULE CYLINDRICAL-ELECTROSTATIC SINGLE-PROBE AND DOUBLE-PROBE MEASUREMENTS.

Abstract

An algebraic fit is made to the results of a numerical analysis describing the collisionless current attracted to cylindrical Langmuir probes operating at moderate values of the ratio of probe radius to Debye length. The probe currents indicated by these expressions are compared to some numerically computed values and to values obtained using an approximate analytical solution. This algebraic description of the single-probe response is then used to derive the double-probe characteristics in the region where the current attracted to the probe is potential-dependent. Equations are derived and methods are discussed for accurately determining both electron temperature and number density from these double-probe characteristics. The analogous results for double-probe operation in the region of orbital-motion-limited current collection are also included. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1969
Accession Number
AD0699560

Entities

People

  • E. W. Peterson
  • L. Talbot

Organizations

  • University of California, Berkeley

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Electrons
  • Equations
  • Langmuir Probes
  • Mathematics
  • Measurement
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Molecules
  • Numerical Analysis
  • Probes

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster