Advancing Antenna Performance: Direct Impedance Measurement on Loop Antenna in a cold magnetized laboratory plasma*

This presentation introduces a novel design for directly measuring the complex impedance of a loop antenna, aiming to enhance the accuracy of radiation efficiency measurements in coupling power to plasma waves. The proposed design offers valuable insights into antenna performance and allows for a comprehensive evaluation of its capabilities. The construction and calibration of the antenna are detailed, providing a step-by-step guide for its assembly and ensuring precise measurements. Extensive comparisons are made between experimental results, simulations, and analytical solutions to validate the antenna's characteristics and gain a deeper understanding. Furthermore, the loop antenna is utilized to excite plasma waves within an RF-generated plasma. The effectiveness of the antenna in this scenario is evaluated, providing valuable insights into the wave antenna plasma interaction.