Results of Using the Anode of a Controlled Spark Gap as a Langmuir Probe

Abstract

The use of one of the electrodes of a small-sized vacuum spark gap as a single Langmuir probe made it possible, without violating the conditions for the formation of the initiating discharge, to record with high time resolution the flows of charged particles and plasma emitted from the starting system and to measure their main parameters. Emission of suprathermal electrons and ions and turbulent plasma was detected. The method of time integration of the signal from the probe confirmed the hypothesis that the anomalously large ion saturation current to the probe is associated with buildup of electrostatic oscillations in the plasma. Signs of macroscopic charge separation at the leading edge of the plasma flow were discovered. The energies of suprathermal particles, the electron temperature, and the density of the emitted plasma were estimated. The probe method has proven to be a completely reliable and productive tool for studying fast processes.