Development of a high-time/spatial resolution self-impedance probe for measurements in laboratory and space plasmas

Plasma impedance probes are often used in laboratory experiments as well space to make measurements of important plasma parameters such the electron density. Conventional probe methods involve sweeping frequency applied through a range containing frequency, which can take on order second complete. This acquisition time leads very low spatial resolution when making from sounding rockets ionosphere. A high-time is under development at U.S. Naval Research Laboratory with goal increasing space. To achieve this, short-time Gaussian monopulse center 40 MHz and full spectrum frequencies an electrically short dipole antenna. were performed triggered once every 10 µs averaged over ten shots, equating 13 cm for typical rocket speed. paper discusses new high-time/spatial self-impedance illustrates that pulse method yields results match data taken using conventional methods. It shown density, sheath electron–neutral collision also be derived data. In addition, compare those theoretical models.