New Software Gives Total Control of Plasma Probes

The latest Hiden Analytical ESPsoft electrostatic plasma probe control software is designed to work seamlessly with ESPION, the world's fastest, most versatile commercial electrostatic Langmuir probe. ESPION measures critical plasma characteristics such as ion and electron density, electron temperature distribution and plasma uniformity. The software adds control of timing circuitry for temporal measurements in pulsed plasmas, an industry first, making it an ideal choice for both industrial and academic research.

ESPsoft gives the user totally flexible control of the ESPION Series. In addition to allowing the user to acquire data on an individual run basis, ESPsoft's Design Of Experiment (DOE) feature allows the user to organise and set up experiments containing multiple runs prior to data acquisition. Separate acquisition parameters and experimental conditions can be associated with each run. Existing experiments can be edited at any time and can be saved as new experiments if required.

The software is designed to provide maximum flexibility in acquiring, modifying, analysing and presenting plasma data. Data sets associated with each analysis consist of the data acquired and all associated data or values derived from them, for example, plasma potential (Vp) or the floating potential (Vf). Various mathematical operations can be carried out on these data such as squaring, smoothing and differentiation as well as several specialised functions for Langmuir probe analysis. The software also has the capability to automate the analysis on both acquired data and stored data.