Spatial selectivity of linear electrostatic sensor arrays

The signal quality and measurement accuracy of the spatial filtering method for particle velocity measurement based on a linear electrostatic sensor array are dependent on the spatial filtering characteristics of the array. In this paper the charge induced on a circular linear electrostatic sensor array with different geometric sizes from a single particle having a unity charge was modeled mathematically, and the three-dimensional electrostatic field due to the point charge in the sensing zone of the array was solved using a finite element method. Furthermore, a computational model of the non-dimensional sensitivity of the array was suggested based on the cosine function and its spatial filtering characteristics were also described quantitatively. These results provide a basis for the performance improvement and optimal design of linear electrostatic sensor array for particle velocity measurement.