get_electron_density_LM¶
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plasmapy.diagnostics.langmuir.
get_electron_density_LM
(electron_saturation_current: Unit("A"), T_e: Unit("eV"), probe_area: Unit("m2")) -> Unit("1 / m3")¶ Implement the Langmuir-Mottley (LM) method of obtaining the electron density.
Parameters: Returns: n_e – Estimate of the electron density in units convertible to m^-3.
Return type: Notes
The method implemented in this function obtains the electron density from the electron saturation current density, assuming a low plasma density. The electron saturation current is given by
\[I_{es} = \frac{1}{4} e n_e A_p \sqrt{\frac{8 T_e}{\pi m_e}}.\]Please note that the electron saturation current density is a hard parameter to acquire and it is usually better to measure the ion density, which should be identical to the electron density in quasineutral plasmas.