Current to a moving cylindrical electrostatic probe

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1973 · J. Appl. Phys., v. 44, no. 12, pp. 5365-5371

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1662157· OSTI ID:4337740

Hoegy, W R; Wharton, L E

The current collection characteristics of a moving cylindrical Langmuir probe are evaluated for a range of probe speeds and potentials which are applicable to earth and planetary measurements. The current expressions derived include the cases of the general accelerated current, sheath area limited current, orbital motion limited current, and retarded current. For the orbital motion limited current, a simple algebric expression is obtained which includes and generalizes the Mott-Smith and Langmuir expressions for both a stationary probe and a rapidly moving probe. For a rapidly moving probe, a single formula adequately represents both the accelerated and the retarded current. (auth)

• Research Organization: Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-29-023130
• OSTI ID: 4337740
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys., v. 44, no. 12, pp. 5365-5371, Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys., v. 44, no. 12, pp. 5365-5371; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*LANGMUIR PROBE-- ELECTRIC CURRENTS
*PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS-- LANGMUIR PROBE
CHARGED PARTICLES
N70200* --Physics--Controlled Thermonuclear Research-- Diagnostics
PLASMA SHEATH
ROCKETS
SATELLITES