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Christopher K. White
Missouri University of Science & Technology
Advisor: Dr. Joshua L. Rovey
Abstract
The first objective of this project was to design and create a microwave plasma source utilizing a copper and glass waveguide. The second objective was to design and construct a retarding potential analyzer and double and single Langmuir probes to measure plasma properties and diagnostics. The third objective was to analyze the data to see if there is a trend between ion number density, electron temperature, floating potential, kinetic energy, potential energy, and plasma potential for varying pressures and electromagnetic fields. Results from the Langmuir probe data conclude that the plasma potential is greater than the floating potential and as the electromagnetic field is increased the plasma potential increases slightly and the floating potential decreased slightly. In addition, the ion number density decreases slightly and the electron temperature increases slightly with increasing electromagnetic field. Results from the retarding potential analyzer data conclude that the potential energy is centered on the plasma potential, which for varying electromagnetic field turned out to be around 22-24 Volts. Furthermore, with varying pressure the potential energy was centered around 18-20 Volts.
Christopher White is a senior at Missouri University of Science & Technology and is originally from Hannibal, Missouri. Christopher is graduating in May with both aerospace and electrical engineering degrees. He is also pursuing minor degrees in mathematics and chemistry. White is very involved on campus being a member of AIAA, IEEE, Scrubs, Kappa Mu Epsilon, Phi Eta Sigma, and Delta Sigma Phi (Fraternity) where he held leadership positions and is a founding father of the new fraternity. Christopher is currently a licensed skydiver and plans on working full time for Dynetics as soon as he graduates. White plans on taking some time off from school, but plans on getting masters degrees in aerospace engineering and business administration a few years down the road.
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