The current distribution along a short dipole antenna in magnetized plasma via a finite difference time domain model

These variations from non standard current distributions may help explain why experimental data never exactly matches the theoretical models of RF plasma probes for any operating frequency near or below the natural plasma resonances. In fact if the PF-FDTD is correct, the non constant phase distribution delays the parallel resonance condition and down shifts the zero phase point below the frequency at which the dip in magnitude is seen. This has large ramifications as it has always been assumed that these two points directly correlate, as in traditional electrical circuits. This offsets in the apparent parallel resonance, from the upper hybrid, yields a false plasma density measurement for non calibrated RF plasma probes. Unfortunately to date no RF probe has had this offset factored into its measurements.