Title :
A Space-Borne Plasma Analyser for Three-Dimensional Measurements of the Velocity Distribution
Author :
Johnstone, A.D. ; Kellock, S.J. ; Coates, A.J. ; Smith, M.F. ; Booker, T. ; Winningham, J.D.
Author_Institution :
Mullard Space Science Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking, Surrey, UK
Abstract :
A new type of plasma analyser, capable of covering the three-dimensional energy distribution of charged particles from a spinning spacecraft, has been built for the AMPTE and GIOTTO spacecraft. The novel features are the use of 260° of deflection in a spherical plate electrostatic analyser to obtain energy discrimination simultaneously with dispersion in angle and the use of a microchannel plate with position-sensitive readout to obtain the angular distribution. The sensor achieves a field of view greater than 140°; a well-defined and nearly-ideal shape for the acceptance volume in velocity space and a relatively large geometric factor.
Keywords :
Acceleration; Apertures; Degradation; Optical refraction; Optical sensors; Plasma measurements; Q measurement; Sensor phenomena and characterization; Sensor systems; Velocity measurement;
Journal_Title :
Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TNS.1985.4336809
