A new Langmuir probe concept for rapid sampling of space plasma electron density

In this paper we describe a new Langmuir probe concept that was invented for the in situ investigation of HF radar backscatter irregularities, with the capability to measure absolute electron density at a resolution sufficient to resolve the finest conceivable structure in an ionospheric plasma. The...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Measurement science & technology 2010-08, Vol.21 (8), p.085902-085902
Main Authors: Jacobsen, K S, Pedersen, A, Moen, J I, Bekkeng, T A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Backscattering
Electron density
Electron temperature
Ionospherics
Irregularities
Rockets
Sampling
Satellites
Space probes
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Summary:In this paper we describe a new Langmuir probe concept that was invented for the in situ investigation of HF radar backscatter irregularities, with the capability to measure absolute electron density at a resolution sufficient to resolve the finest conceivable structure in an ionospheric plasma. The instrument consists of two or more fixed-bias cylindrical Langmuir probes whose radius is small compared to the Debye length. With this configuration, it is possible to acquire absolute electron density measurements independent of electron temperature and rocket/satellite potential. The system was flown on the ICI-2 sounding rocket to investigate the plasma irregularities which cause HF backscatter. It had a sampling rate of more than 5 kHz and successfully measured structures down to the scale of one electron gyro radius. The system can easily be adapted for any ionospheric rocket or satellite, and provides high-quality measurements of electron density at any desired resolution.
ISSN:0957-0233
1361-6501
DOI:10.1088/0957-0233/21/8/085902