A probe for measuring electrical characteristics of an excitation current
of a plasma is provided. The probe is mounted on a conductive line that
includes an inner conductor and an outer conductor. The probe includes a
current sensor and a voltage sensor. The current sensor includes a groove
formed in the ground of one of the conductors in order to form a detour
for the current flowing through the conductor, and a point for measuring
electric voltage between a ground connected to the conductor and a point
of the groove. The current sensor thus is able to measure a voltage
proportional to the first time derivative of intensity (I.sub.plasma) of
the excitation current. The voltage sensor is a shunt sensor capable of
measuring a voltage proportional to the first time derivative of the
voltage (V.sub.plasma) of the excitation current. A plasma reactor
including a probe of the aforementioned type is also provided.