Application of double electric probes to the observation of a very strong plasma double layer

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Abstract
Floating double electric probes in conjunction with optoisolators have been applied to detect strong local electric fields ( approximately=1.5 kV mm-1) in a moving double layer generated by a high-voltage straight plasma discharge. The probe current estimated from the electric signal picked up and the input impedance is found to be very much larger than the ion saturation current (convection current). The result can be explained if one supposes that these probes collect the polarisation current induced by passage of a highly polarised space-charge layer.