Educational Approach to Active Circuits for Vacuum Tube Langmuir Probes

Asynchronous learning has produced challenges to developing technical work of physics students. Building circuits from modules that can be utilized in remote learning is a method for which educators have mandated students to purchase. This paper utilizes a similar notion of creating modules with limiting the components to differential amplifiers, inverting amplifiers, and push-pull circuits. Specifically making components from LM741 operational amplifier or general purpose components engages students with replaceable components to create active circuits for a distributable experiment. Vacuum tubes utilize the same physical principles as Langmuir probes and are ideal for compact plasma experiments in conjunction with the active circuit modules. Developing active probe circuits is a method for which the technical aspect of physics research can be taught in an asynchronous learning environment.