Implications of contamination and surface area ratios for Langmuir probe diagnostics on CubeSats

Details Implications of contamination and surface area ratios for Langmuir probe diagnostics on CubeSats Implications of contamination and surface area ratios for Langmuir probe diagnostics on CubeSats

Dec 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009agufmsm33c1573s&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2009, abstract #SM33C-1573

Computer Science

Sound

[2400] Ionosphere, [2411] Ionosphere / Electric Fields, [2467] Ionosphere / Plasma Temperature And Density, [2494] Ionosphere / Instruments And Techniques

Scientific paper

Theories describing the current collected by a biased probe under various conditions are necessary for such observation to be used to accurately determine plasma properties. Langmuir probes are routinely used on spacecraft to measure plasma parameters such as density, temperature, and vehicle charging. The collected current is a function of the potential between the surrounding plasma and probe surface. There have been both observations of and concepts for unaccounted variations of this potential which limit the application of Langmuir probe theory for determining plasma properties. These variations occur due to spatial variations of the work function across the probe surface due to non-uniformity of the crystalline surface properties and surface contamination of the probe. Currently we do not have theoretical expressions which consider these factors as first principles in their derivation. In the event of these surface potential variations, the analysis of the plasma using the currently available theories of the Langmuir probe yield erroneous results. We present a theory which models the current as a function of the surface potential variations. Another consideration for Langmuir probes on CubeSats is the ratio of the probe area to the return current collection area. If the area ratio is unfavorable this can also lead to erroneous results in the interpretation of observations. A mathematical formulation of the current collected by the probe for contaminated surfaces is presented and compared with data from a Langmuir probe flown on a sounding rocket mission. The implications of using Langmuir probes on CubeSats given the engineering limitations of probe cleanliness and area ratios are reviewed.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Implications of contamination and surface area ratios for Langmuir probe diagnostics on CubeSats does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Implications of contamination and surface area ratios for Langmuir probe diagnostics on CubeSats, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Implications of contamination and surface area ratios for Langmuir probe diagnostics on CubeSats will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1879367