End Effect in Langmuir Probe Response Under Ionospheric Satellite Conditions

Abstract

A theory is presented for an end effect in the current response of a highly negative, cylindrical Langmuir probe in a collisionless plasma flow. Under conditions where ratio of probe radius to Debye length is small and the ion-acoustic Mach number is large, the current exhibits a strong peak when the probe axis is brought into alignment with the flow direction. Closed formulae are given for the maximum and angular half-width of the peak, and universal graphical results are presented for the entire peak structure. The theory shows very good agreement with experimental data. The use of the end effect for diagnostic purposes, in particular for the determination of the ion temperature, is discussed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1971
Accession Number
AD0723531

Entities

People

  • Juan R. Sanmartin

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Agreements
  • Angular Momentum
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Classification
  • Current Density
  • Department Of Defense
  • Distribution Functions
  • Electrons
  • Experimental Data
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Langmuir Probes
  • Mach Number
  • Measurement
  • Probes
  • Security
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster