Plasma Impedance Probe Research Articles

Uncertainty analysis of the plasma impedance probe

A plasma impedance probe (PIP) is a type of in situ, radio frequency (RF) probe that is traditionally used to measure plasma properties (e.g., density) in low-density environments such as the Earth's ionosphere. We believe that PIPs are underrepresented in laboratory settings, in part because PIP operation and analysis have not been optimized for signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), reducing the probe's accuracy, upper density limit, and acquisition rate. This work presents our efforts in streamlining and simplifying the PIP design, circuit-based-model, calibration, and analysis for unmagnetized laboratory plasmas, in both continuous and pulsed PIP operation. The focus of this work is a Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis, which identifies operational and analysis procedures that improve SNR by multiple orders of magnitude. Additionally, this analysis provides evidence that the sheath resonance (and not the plasma frequency as previously believed) sets the PIP's upper density limit, which likely provides an additional method for extending the PIP's density limit.

High-speed plasma measurements with a plasma impedance probe

Plasma impedance probes (PIPs) are a type of RF probe that primarily measures electron density. This work introduces two advancements: a streamlined analytical model for interpreting PIP-monopole measurements and techniques for achieving ≥1 MHz time-resolved PIP measurements. The model’s improvements include introducing sheath thickness as a measurement and providing a more accurate method for measuring electron density and damping. The model is validated by a quasi-static numerical simulation, which compares the simulation with measurements, identifies sources of error, and provides probe design criteria for minimizing uncertainty. The improved time resolution is achieved by introducing higher-frequency hardware, updated analysis algorithms, and a more rigorous approach to RF calibration. Finally, the new model and high-speed techniques are applied to two datasets: a 4 kHz plasma density oscillation resolved at 100 kHz with densities ranging between 2 × 1014 and 3 × 1015 m−3, and a 150 kHz oscillation resolved at 4 MHz with densities ranging between 4 × 1014 and 6 × 1014 m−3.

Robust measurements of the electron-neutral collision frequency using plasma impedance probes

Local measurement of ionospheric parameters such as electron density, electron neutral collision frequency, neutral density, and the background temperature has a great benefit to improve the empirical models and validate remote observations of the lower ionosphere. One of the well-established instruments that have been used on rocket payloads and satellites to study the dynamic and temporal evolution of the ionospheric plasma is the plasma impedance probe (PIP). The PIP consists of an electrically short antenna that has a radiating part when placed in a plasma environment. It has been shown that the variation of characteristic features of the antenna input impedance is modified by local plasma parameters which can be used to infer ionospheric parameters. This paper aims at combining different aspects of the PIP characteristic impedance curve in order to make the measurements of local plasma parameters robust. The idea of using two different antenna types on the same payload is investigated. The input phase information along with the input impedance amplitude is employed for the first time to examine the idea of using two antenna types as PIP on the same mission for exact ionospheric plasma and neutral density observations. The unique impedance characteristic curves of dipole and patch antennas are shown to be able to enhance the accuracy of the observations.

Assessment of plasma impedance probe for measuring electron density and collision frequency in a plasma with spatial and temporal gradients

Numerical simulations and experimental measurements were combined to determine the ability of a plasma impedance probe (PIP) to measure plasma density and electron collision frequency in a plasma containing spatial gradients as well as time-varying oscillations in the plasma density. A PIP is sensitive to collision frequency through the width of the parallel resonance in the Re[Z]-vs.-frequency characteristic, while also being sensitive to electron density through the zero-crossing of the Im[Z]-vs.-frequency characteristic at parallel resonance. Simulations of the probe characteristic in a linear plasma gradient indicated that the broadening of Re[Z] due to the spatial gradient obscured the broadening due to electron collision frequency, preventing a quantitative measurement of the absolute collision frequency for gradients considered in this study. Simulation results also showed that the PIP is sensitive to relative changes in electron collision frequency in a spatial density gradient, but a second broadening effect due to time-varying oscillations made collision frequency measurements impossible. The time-varying oscillations had the effect of causing multiple zero-crossings in Im[Z] at parallel resonance. Results of experiments and simulations indicated that the lowest-frequency zero-crossing represented the lowest plasma density in the oscillations and the highest-frequency zero-crossing represented the highest plasma density in the oscillations, thus the PIP probe was found to be an effective tool to measure both the average plasma density as well as the maximum and minimum densities due to temporal oscillations.

Elevated electron temperatures around twin sporadic E layers at low latitude: Observations and the case for a plausible link to currents parallel to the geomagnetic field

We present data from nighttime sounding rocket flights in the low latitude E region. The payloads carried a sweeping Langmuir probe, a plasma impedance probe, and electric field probes. A detailed examination of the plasma density, temperature, and electric field measurements show two strong sporadic E (Es) layers with very high electron temperatures (∼1000 K) on each side of the upper layer. The lower layer was consistent with the presence of a strong zonal neutral wind shear. The upper layer was strongly influenced by the presence of a strongly negative vertical electric field, with zonal winds and their shears also contributing. A strong downward motion of the plasma from the combined action of the downward electric field and negative zonal wind advected the upper layer far below the region of maximum growth. We have attributed the more puzzling high electron temperatures to frictional heating from parallel currents and shown that the F region nighttime dynamo could easily generate the necessary parallel current densities (1 μA m−2) near the electron density troughs. The electron temperature was also elevated in the Es layers themselves, implying parallel current densities of the order of 15 μA m−2 around the Es peaks. Those parallel currents were attributed to strong Hall current divergences driven by the zonal electric field around the Es peaks.

Plasma Impedance Probe: Simulations and Comparison to Sounding Rocket Mission Data

We report some initial results of simulation and data analysis of a radio-frequency plasma impedance probe flown on sounding rockets. This instrument is used to measure the absolute electron density and electron-neutral collision frequency at ionospheric altitudes. A plasma-fluid finite-difference time-domain (PF-FDTD) simulation is used in conjunction with simpler analytical formulas by Balmain to match the measurements to theory. The effects of an inhomogeneous conical profile or a warm plasma on the impedance are then studied using an improved version of the PF-FDTD model. The effect of spacecraft plasma wake on impedance measurements is qualitatively analyzed using the conical approximation. In particular, a model of the electron wake structure is created for the Sudden Atom Layer (SAL) sounding rocket mission. The spin modulation observed in the electron density measurements during the SAL mission is analyzed. We use the fluid simulation results to suggest corrections to electron density and electron-neutral collision frequency estimates made during sounding rocket missions.

Invited Article: Data analysis of the Floating Potential Measurement Unit aboard the International Space Station

We present data from the Floating Potential Measurement Unit (FPMU) that is deployed on the starboard truss of the International Space Station. The FPMU is a suite of instruments capable of redundant measurements of various plasma parameters. The instrument suite consists of a floating potential probe, a wide-sweeping spherical Langmuir probe, a narrow-sweeping cylindrical Langmuir probe, and a plasma impedance probe. This paper gives a brief overview of the instrumentation and the received data quality, and then presents the algorithm used to reduce I-V curves to plasma parameters. Several hours of data are presented from August 5, 2006 and March 3, 2007. The FPMU derived plasma density and temperatures are compared with the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) and Utah State University-Global Assimilation of Ionospheric Measurement (USU-GAIM) models. Our results show that the derived in situ density matches the USU-GAIM model better than the IRI, and the derived in situ temperatures are comparable to the average temperatures given by the IRI.

Validation of the Plasma Densities and Temperatures From the ISS Floating Potential Measurement Unit

The validation of the floating potential measurement unit (FPMU) plasma density and temperature measurements is an important step in the process of evaluating International Space Station (ISS) spacecraft charging issues including vehicle arcing and hazards to crew during extravehicular activities. The highest potentials observed on the Space Station are due to the combined Vsp times B effects on a large spacecraft and the collection of ionospheric electron and ion currents by the 160-V U.S. solar array modules. The ionospheric plasma environment is needed for input to the ISS spacecraft charging models used to predict the severity and frequency of occurrence of ISS charging hazards. The validation of these charging models requires the comparison of their predictions with measured FPMU values. The FPMU measurements themselves must also be validated for use in manned flight safety work. This paper presents preliminary results from a comparison of densities and temperatures derived from the FPMU Langmuir probes and plasma impedance probe with the independent density and temperature measurements from a spaceborne ultraviolet imager, a ground-based incoherent scatter radar, and ionosonde sites.

Charging of the International Space Station as Observed by the Floating Potential Measurement Unit: Initial Results

The floating potential measurement unit (FPMU) is a multiprobe package designed to measure the floating potential of the International Space Station (ISS) as well as the density and temperature of the local ionospheric plasma environment. The purpose of the FPMU is to provide direct measurements of ISS spacecraft charging as continuing construction leads to dramatic changes in ISS size and configuration. FPMU data are used for refinement and validation of the ISS spacecraft charging models used to evaluate the severity and frequency of occurrence of ISS charging hazards. The FPMU data and the models are also used to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed hazard controls. The FPMU consists of four probes: a floating potential probe, two Langmuir probes, and a plasma impedance probe. These probes measure the floating potential of the ISS, plasma density, and electron temperature. Redundant measurements using different probes support data validation by interprobe comparisons. The FPMU was installed by ISS crew members during an extra-vehicular activity on the starboard (S1) truss of the ISS in early August 2006 when the ISS configuration included only one 160-V U.S. photovoltaic (PV) array module. The first data campaign began a few hours after installation and continued for over five days. Additional data campaigns were completed in 2007 after a second 160-V U.S. PV array module was added to the ISS. This paper discusses the general operational characteristics of the FPMU as integrated on ISS, the functional performance of each probe, the charging behavior of the ISS before and after the addition of a second 160-V U.S. PV array module, and initial results from model comparisons.

Electron density and electron neutral collision frequency in the ionosphere using plasma impedance probe measurements

Swept Impedance Probe measurements in a sporadic E layer observed during the Sudden Atomic Layer (SAL) sounding rocket mission are analyzed to obtain absolute electron densities and electron neutral collision frequencies accurately. Three sets of upleg and downleg impedance data are selected for the analysis. Initial estimates of the plasma parameters are obtained through a least mean square fit of the measured impedance data against the analytical impedance formula ZB(f) of Balmain (1969). These initial parameters are used as a starting point to drive a finite difference computational model of an antenna immersed in a plasma called PF‐FDTD. The parameters are then tuned until a close fit is obtained between the measured impedance data and the numerical impedance data calculated by the PF‐FDTD simulation. The electron densities obtained from the simulation were close to those obtained from the IRI 2001 model. The electron neutral collision frequencies obtained from the more accurate PF‐FDTD simulation were up to 20% lower than the values predicted by Balmain's formula. The obtained collision frequencies are also lower than the quiet time values predicted by Schunk and Nagy (2000) when used in conjunction with neutral densities and electron temperature from the Mass Spectrometer Incoherent Scatter Radar Extended‐90 model.

Characteristics of the plasma impedance probe with constant bias

The impedance of a small spherical probe immersed in a uniform plasma is measured by recording the reflection coefficient of an applied signal using a network analyzer. This impedance has a resonance at the plasma frequency where the imaginary part goes to zero, a feature that has made this measurement a good way of determining electron density. When the plasma potential is positive with respect to the sphere—for example, if the sphere is electrically floating or grounded, a second resonance occurs at ω<ωpe due to the capacitance created by the depleted electron density in the sheath. A greatly increased power deposition occurs at this lower resonance, whose frequency can be controlled by applying a dc bias which changes the sheath width. As the bias is increased the value of this frequency becomes smaller until the resonance disappears completely at Vprobe=Vplasma. As the bias is further increased past the plasma potential, an electron sheath forms with its own resonance, which is at a lower frequency than the resonance associated with the ion sheath. The impedance of the electron sheath can be approximated using sheath transit time perturbation theory for a space charge limited diode. As with the ion sheath resonance, the largest energy deposition occurs at the lower of the two resonant frequencies.

Measurement of absolute electron density with a plasma impedance probe

A small spherical probe is used in conjunction with a network analyzer to determine the impedance of the probe-plasma system over a wide frequency range. Impedance curves are in good agreement with accepted circuit models with plasma-sheath and electron plasma frequency resonances easily identifiable. Clear transitions between capacitive and inductive modes as predicted by the model are identified. Sheath thickness and absolute electron density are determined from the location of these transitions. The absolute electron density indicated by the location of the impedance resonance is compared to measurements using the plasma oscillation method.