Two-dimensional micron-step probe drive for laboratory plasma measurement

Rev Sci Instrum. 2008 Aug;79(8):083505. doi: 10.1063/1.2972150.

Abstract

Laboratory measurement of small-scale ( approximately 1 mm) magnetic phenomena over an extended area is a challenge requiring precise diagnostics. We present a novel two dimensional magnetic probe platform capable of directly measuring the magnetic field over a 36 cm(2) region at spatial resolutions better than 1 mm. The platform is discussed in the context of an experiment at the Large Plasma Device facility at UCLA, designed to measure the magnetic interaction between two counterpropagating laser-produced plasmas. The use of a precise, repeatable positioning platform enables the recovery of information about the interaction using cross-correlation techniques.