The analysis of probe I-V characteristics in a magnetized low-temperature plasma

The validity of probe theories based on the classical electron transport to probes in low-temperature magnetized plasma of the toroidal device `Blaama nn " has been demonstrated. The analysis was carried out for the conditions when global transport of charged particles in the device is anomalous, nam ely for magnetic field up to 0.3 T and pressure range 0.1 - 1 Pa. It was sh own also that for the magnetic field larger than 0.1 T probes longer than 1 5 mm provide electron saturation current practically independent of probe p otential, hence more accurate measurements of the plasma parameters. The ex periments have revealed that application of long probes oriented parallel t o the magnetic field may cause an anomaly of the I-V characteristics in the sense that a local increase of the electron current appears near the plasm a potential.