Characterizing Plasma with the Utilization of a Langmuir Probe*

The impact of iodine vapor and plasma on spacecraft materials can be tested in many ways; for example, a spacecraft materials set-up involving their exposure to iodine vapor and plasma at a variety of temperatures and pressures. A common way to test them is by constructing a Langmuir Probe; this is used to characterize the plasma. Although there are many ways to construct a Langmuir Probe, this one will be made of tungsten wire as it is a high-temperature material, alumina tubing, and a band-stop filter. To characterize the plasma, the probe is inserted into the plasma using a holder constructed of aluminum, the holder contains four holes for data collection. While in the holder, the probe is inserted in and out of each hole to collect more data points and also spun with the use of a Stepper Motor Configuration.