Estimation of Plasma Density by Surface Plasmons for Surface-Wave Plasmas

An estimation method of plasma density based on surface plasmons theory for surface-wave plasmas is proposed. The number of standing-wave is obtained directly from the discharge image, and the propagation constant is calculated with the trim size of the apparatus in this method, then plasma density can be determined with the value of 9.1×10¹⁷m^-3. Plasma density is measured using a Langmuir probe, the value is 8.1×10¹⁷m^-3 which is very close to the predicted value of surface plasmons theory. Numerical simulation is used to check the number of standing-wave by the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method also. All results are compatible both of theoretical analysis and experimental measurement.