Rocket-borne low-energy-ion measurements in space

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6457051

Pollock, C J

A capped hemisphere electrostatic analyzer was developed for performing detailed studies of charged-particle distributions in space from sounding-rocket platforms. This instrument employs microchannel plate detectors in conjunction with a linear resistive anode to carry out angular imaging, by resistive charge division, of particle arrivals. Two such instruments, capable of supplying 64 x 32 angle-energy positive-ion distributions every approx. 1 second were flown on two separate high-latitude sounding rockets in February, 1985, from Sondre Stromfjord, Greenland. One of these two rockets featured an active ion-beam experiment whereby 200 eV/q Ar/sup +/ ions were injected into the ionospheric plasma from a separated sub payload in broad (approx. 60/sup 0/ FWHM) beams directed alternately either parallel to or perpendicular to the geomagnetic field. Ion fluxes associated with beam operations were observed on the main payload out to a main/sub payload separation distance of nearly 1 km. Several distinct ion populations were identified, based on their energy/pitch-angle characteristics.

• Research Organization: New Hampshire Univ., Durham (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6457051
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

440100 -- Radiation Instrumentation
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ARGON IONS
BEAM ANALYZERS
BEAMS
CHARGED PARTICLES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTROSTATIC ANALYZERS
ION BEAMS
ION DRIFT
IONOSPHERE
IONS
MEASURING METHODS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
ROCKETS