Langmuir Probe
Plasma (oh, my!)
Happy indeed is the scientist who not only has the pleasures which I have enumerated, but who also wins the recognition of fellow scientists and of the mankind which ultimately benefits from his endeavors.
-Irving Langmuir, inventor of the Langmuir Probe, also coined the term "plasma"
In this experiment you will use a Langmuir probe to investigate several defining features of a plasma: the electron and ion densities, plasma potential, and electron velocity as they depend on the plasma density in general.
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The vacuum tube. Notice the solid metal cathode (annulus), the trigger anode ring, and the long anode passing through their centers that will be used as the Langmuir probe. |
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The Keithly piccoameter sits atop the variable voltage source. LabView will control the voltage source whilist reading the meter. |
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The Heathkit high voltage source. You will use this to create the plasma. |
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