There is a simple approximation for the mean free path, λmfp, of particles in air at room temperature (T = 25 oC) given by, where λmfp is in units of centimeters and the pressure, P, is in units of Torr. While this is a commonly used approximation, it is not clear how it is derived. […]
Lab Exercises with an Electron Beam
Various exercises with an electron beam are performed as part of the undergraduate plasma laboratory at UCLA. This course (look up PHYS 180E at the UCLA Physics and Astronomy Dept.) is intended to introduce upper division undergraduates to experimental plasma physics. While acting as the TA for the course during the Spring 2006 quarter I […]
Old School – The XY Recorder
While working in an undergraduate plasma laboratory I had the opportunity to use an old device for recording data. The XY recorder is to data collection as the typewriter is to a computer. An ink pen is attached to a rail that moves according to input signals. The recorded takes a voltage input for both […]
Contour Plotting Routine for IDL
Update: An object oriented version of this routine, one that uses iContour, is now available as conmakeOBJ. Details Filename: conmake.txt (Contour Make) Direct Download: conmake NOTE: the download is provided as a .txt format, but the file must be renamed with a .pro extension (i.e. conmake.pro) before using. File Last Updated: March 14, 2006 About A […]
Construction of a Triple Probe for Use on the LArge Plasma Device
Introduction This is a summary of the construction procedure for a triple probe (four tipped Langmuir probe) to be used in the LAPD. All of the dimensional requirements presented are taken from an internal lab document, which is not cited for each individual instance at which it is referenced. While many of the details contained […]