Measuring method for ion temperature by asymmetric probes in magnetic fields

A method for measuring the positive ion temperature by asymmetric probes in a strongly magnetized plasma, where the ion temperature is comparable to or higher than the electron temperature, is presented. The probe system consists of cylindrical and planar electrodes, the axis of the former being aligned parallel to and the surface of the latter perpendicular to the magnetic field. The ion temperature can be determined from the ratio of positive ion saturation currents. (author)