Investigation of possible sheath disappearance near a electrode biased at the plasma potential

Summary form only given. It is well established that when an electrode is biased negative with respect to the plasma potential, an ion sheath forms and when it is biased positive with respect to the plasma potential, an electron sheath forms provided that the electrode is small A_plate/A_chamber <; (m_e/M_i)^1/2) [1]. However, when a small electrode is biased at the plasma potential, it is unknown whether an ion sheath, an electron sheath or no sheath will form. Movable small (3-5cm diameter) plates biased at the plasma potential are immersed in a filament discharge in a multidipole chamber. Plasma potential and IVDFs near the plate are measured to determine whether an ion sheath, an electron sheath or no sheath formed. Ion velocities are determined by Laser-Induced Florescence, the electron temperature and electron density are measured by a planar Langmuir probe and the plasma potential is measured by an emissive probe.