Langmuir probe measurement of electron temperature in a Druyvesteyn electron plasma

The interpretation of electrostatic probe characteristics to give the electron temperature in a plasma is taken a step further by considering the Druyvesteyn energy distribution for the electrons. The electron-retarding current-voltage characteristic is derived for the Druyvesteyn case, and a procedure for determining the electron temperature obtained. Experiments conducted in a plasma wind tunnel showed that the data agree better with the Druyvesteyn theory than with the maxwellian theory for the pre-shock plasma region.