Measurements of Resonance Rectification using a Plasma Probe

Recent experiments, by Takayama et al. and Miyazaki et al. in 1960 have shown that if an alternating potential is applied to a probe inserted in a plasma the probe collects a steady rectified current. This current is greatest when the frequency of the applied potential is equal to the plasma electron frequency. This phenomenon has been called resonance rectification. A theoretical explanation of the phenomenon has been published by Ichikawa and Ikegami in 1962. This paper describes experiments made to test the theory. The experimental results are, to a first order, in agreement with the theory.