Design and Implementation of a Fast-Sweeping Langmuir Probe Diagnostic for DC Arc Jet Environments

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Colom, Sebastian V., Haw, Magnus A., Rodrigues, Jocelino
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Colom, Sebastian V.
Haw, Magnus A.
Rodrigues, Jocelino
author_facet Colom, Sebastian V.
Haw, Magnus A.
Rodrigues, Jocelino
contents Langmuir probe diagnostics are a cornerstone of plasma characterization, providing critical measurements of electron temperature, electron density, and plasma potential. However, conventional swept Langmuir probes and other traditional electrostatic probes often lack the temporal resolution necessary to capture transient plasma behavior in dynamic environments. This paper presents the design and implementation of a fast-sweeping Langmuir probe system that is open-source, low-cost, and adaptable for a wide range of plasma applications. The probe system incorporates voltage sweeping to resolve rapid fluctuations in plasma parameters at a temporal resolution of up to 200 kHz. To validate its performance, the system was implemented in the 30 kW miniature Arc jet Research Chamber (mARC II), a high-enthalpy DC arc jet facility designed for prototype testing and development. Experimental results demonstrate the probe's capability to operate in extreme aerothermal conditions, providing time-resolved electron temperature and density along the flow's radial profile. This work establishes a robust and accessible Langmuir diagnostic solution for researchers studying transient plasma behavior in high-enthalpy environments.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2510_26162
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Design and Implementation of a Fast-Sweeping Langmuir Probe Diagnostic for DC Arc Jet Environments
Colom, Sebastian V.
Haw, Magnus A.
Rodrigues, Jocelino
Plasma Physics
Langmuir probe diagnostics are a cornerstone of plasma characterization, providing critical measurements of electron temperature, electron density, and plasma potential. However, conventional swept Langmuir probes and other traditional electrostatic probes often lack the temporal resolution necessary to capture transient plasma behavior in dynamic environments. This paper presents the design and implementation of a fast-sweeping Langmuir probe system that is open-source, low-cost, and adaptable for a wide range of plasma applications. The probe system incorporates voltage sweeping to resolve rapid fluctuations in plasma parameters at a temporal resolution of up to 200 kHz. To validate its performance, the system was implemented in the 30 kW miniature Arc jet Research Chamber (mARC II), a high-enthalpy DC arc jet facility designed for prototype testing and development. Experimental results demonstrate the probe's capability to operate in extreme aerothermal conditions, providing time-resolved electron temperature and density along the flow's radial profile. This work establishes a robust and accessible Langmuir diagnostic solution for researchers studying transient plasma behavior in high-enthalpy environments.
title Design and Implementation of a Fast-Sweeping Langmuir Probe Diagnostic for DC Arc Jet Environments
topic Plasma Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.26162