Semester

Fall

Date of Graduation

2005

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Physics and Astronomy

Committee Chair

Mark E. Koepke.

Abstract

An electrostatic probe for real-time measurements of space potential in magnetized plasma is tested in fully ionized, barium, Q-machine plasma. The tungsten wire probe tip, oriented perpendicular to the magnetic field, is partially shielded by ceramic baffles (masks). Rotation of the probe about its cylindrical axis, changes the fraction of electrons that can reach the probe tip along the magnetic field, enabling the ratio between the electron and ion saturation currents to be adjusted without changing the probe bias. When optimally shielded, accurate, real-time measurements of space potential can be acquired.

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