Determination of Plasma Potentials and Ion Energies by Ion Extraction and Energy Analysis

Abstract

This paper describes the theory and operation of a new diagnostic tool for the extraction of ions from the main body of a confined plasma. The device, a magnetically shielding tube used in conjunction with an electrostatic energy analyzer and secondary electron detector, can be used for measuring ion energy distributions, plasma potential, and energy dependence of plasma ion lifetimes. Shielding properties and limitations of the device are also discussed.