Study of Propagation of Ion Acoustic Waves in Argon Plasma

Abstract

The properties of small amplitude acoustic waves (IAW) in unmagnetised plasma have been discussed in detail. An experimental set up to study the propagation of IAW in argon plasma has been descried. The speed of IAW under different conditions of discharge current and pressure has been measured from the time-of flight technique. From these measurements, electron temperatures have been calculated. The results have been compared with those obtained by single probe method, and were found to be in good agreement with each other so IAW speeds can be used to calculate plasma parameters.