Characteristics of Plasma Resonance Probe and RF Impedance Probe in a Magnetic Field

Abstract

Frequency characteristics of the planar and spherical plasma resonance probes and of the RF impedance probe in a magnetic field were analyzed, by considering the equivalent electrical circuit for the plasma and sheath. The dependence of the resonant frequencies on the strength of magnetic field were theoretically studied and some new resonant phenomena were predicted. Some experiments were performed with the resonance probe in a mercury plasma, which proved the validity of most of the theoretical predictions. Both kinds of probe are being used for the rocket-observation of the ionosphere where the geomagnetic field cannot be neglected. The results obtained here may introduce a useful method of analysis of such observational data.