Measurement of Low Plasma Densities in a Magnetic Field

Abstract

Absolute measurements of plasma density in the range 8× 108 to 3× 1011cm−3 were made in a potassium plasma by four methods: (1) Langmuir probes, (2) microwave cavity, (3) microwave interferometry, and (4) propagation of electrostatic waves. Agreement to ≈25% between the probe and microwave measurements was achieved by careful application of probe theory. By contrast, indiscriminate use of probe theory would lead to an error of 600% at low densities. The fourth method, though less accurate, was found to be a useful independent check.