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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Building Langmuir Probes and Emissive Probes for Plasma Potential Measurements in Low Pressure, Low Temperature Plasmas
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High-speed dual Langmuir probe.

Robert B Lobbia1, Alec D Gallimore

  • 1Department of Aerospace Engineering, Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.

The Review of Scientific Instruments
|August 7, 2010
PubMed
Summary

A new high-speed dual Langmuir probe (HDLP) enables microsecond-timescale measurements of turbulent plasma properties. This advanced probe reveals significant fluctuations in electron density, temperature, and plasma potential within Hall thruster plumes, correlating with discharge instabilities.

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Area of Science:

  • Plasma Physics
  • Space Propulsion Engineering

Background:

  • Turbulent plasma discharges are crucial in applications like Hall effect thrusters.
  • Traditional Langmuir probes lack the temporal resolution to capture rapid plasma dynamics.
  • Understanding plasma fluctuations is key to optimizing thruster performance and stability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate a high-speed dual Langmuir probe (HDLP) for temporally resolved measurements of turbulent plasma.
  • To investigate the spatio-temporal characteristics of plasma properties in Hall thruster plumes.
  • To correlate plasma fluctuations with thruster discharge instabilities.

Main Methods:

  • A novel HDLP system was designed, integrating a swept Langmuir probe with a shielded null probe for microsecond-timescale bias sweeps.

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  • Traditional thin-sheath Langmuir probe theory was applied for data interpretation.
  • The HDLP system was used for near- and far-field plume measurements downstream of a Hall effect thruster, collecting extensive spatial and temporal data.

    • Main Results:

    • The HDLP system achieved bias sweep rates up to 1 MHz, enabling detailed analysis of plasma properties.
    • Measurements in the Hall thruster plume showed electron densities of (1x10^15)-(5x10^16) m⁻³, electron temperatures of 1–3.5 eV, and plasma potentials of 5–15 V.
    • Significant 19 kHz fluctuations in electron density, temperature, and plasma potential were observed throughout the plume, synchronized with thruster discharge current oscillations (breathing mode).
    • Observed plasma wave propagation velocities exceeded 10 km/s, consistent with ion transit times.

    Conclusions:

    • The developed HDLP system provides unprecedented temporal resolution for studying turbulent plasmas.
    • The study demonstrates a strong link between Hall thruster discharge instabilities and plasma property fluctuations within the plume.
    • The findings offer insights into plasma wave propagation and energy transfer mechanisms in Hall thrusters.