On energetic electrons in a multipolar magnetically confined Ar plasma

Energetic electrons in the filament vicinity of a multipolar magnetically c onfined Ar plasma were investigated by spherical and planar probes using th e test function method. Being very sensitive to deviation of the electron e nergy distribution function from Maxwellian, the test function was able to emphasize the influence of primary electrons on the determination of plasma parameters. In order to avoid ambiguity in the estimation of energetic ele ctron parameters, the energetic electrons were separated into anisotropic-p rimary and isotropic-hot electrons.