The Plasma Sciences Laboratory began its operation using the the Fisk Plasma Source (FPS), shown below.  The FPS device has been operational since June, 1997.  Currently, experiments are performed in argon plasmas using a DC glow discharge configuration. Experiments on FPS are focused on plasma-material interactions and low frequency plasma fluctuations in glow discharge plasmas.

Photograph of the FPS in the Plasma Sciences Laboratory

Plasmas are generated in the FPS device using:

• DC glow discharge
• Thermionic emission (heated tungsten filament)

Typical experimental conditions (for the DC glow discharge) in the FPS device are listed below.  Plasma parameters were measured using a Langmuir probe.

• Density:  ~ 5 x 10¹⁴ m^-3
• Electron Temperature:  ~ 3 - 10 eV
• Operating pressure:  50 to 100 mTorr

NOTE:  Plasmas produced using a thermionically emitting tungsten filament have not yet been fully diagnosed. Emission spectra have also been taken of filament generated plasmas.

Plasma generated by a heated tungsten filament in the FPS device