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The MERiT Onboard the CeREs: A Novel Instrument to Study Energetic Particles in the Earth's Radiation Belts.

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Title: The MERiT Onboard the CeREs: A Novel Instrument to Study Energetic Particles in the Earth's Radiation Belts.
Authors: Kanekal, S. G.1 shrikanth.g.kanekal@nasa.gov, Blum, L.1, Christian, E. R.1, Crum, G.1, Desai, M.2, Dumonthier, J.1, Evans, A.1, Greeley, A. D.1,3, Guerro, S.1, Livi, S.2, LLera, K.2, Lucas, J.1, MacKinnon, J.1, Mukherjee, J.2, Ogasawara, K.2, Paschalidis, N.1, Patel, D.1, Pollack, E.1, Riall, S.1, Schiller, Q.1
Source: Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics. Jul2019, Vol. 124 Issue 7, p5734-5760. 27p.
Subject Terms: Particle detectors, Solid state detectors, Microbursts, CubeSats (Artificial satellites), Photodiodes
Abstract: The Miniaturized Electron pRoton Telescope, MERiT, is a low‐mass, low‐power, compact instrument using an innovative combination of particle detectors, sensor electronics, and onboard processing. MERiT is flying on the Compact Radiation belt Explorer, CeREs, a 3U CubeSat launched into a low earth orbit of 500‐km altitude and inclination of 85° on 16 December 2018. The primary and secondary science goals of CeREs are to investigate electron microbursts and to study solar particles. MERiT comprises a stack of solid state detectors (SSD) behind space facing avalanche photo diodes (APDs) surrounded by W‐Al shielding to reduce side‐penetrating particle background. The APD‐SSD combination enables measurement of electrons from  5 to 200 keV and  1 to 8 MeV; protons from  200–400 keV and 7–100 MeV in differential channels with energy resolution ΔE/E≈30% for both electrons and protons. MERiT measures microbursts with a high time resolution ranging from 4 to 16 ms and solar particles with a cadence of 1 s. MERiT energy channels and cadences are software configurable via algorithms and lookup tables residing on a field‐programmable gate array. The lookup tables can be changed via ground commands. MERiT geometry factor is 31 cm2‐sr and optimized to measure microbursts with the instrument viewing the local zenith in orbit. MERiT enables investigation of dynamical processes of radiation belt electron energization and loss, solar electron and proton transport, and their access to the Earth's polar caps. We describe the MERiT sensor design, calibration, operational modes, data products, and science goals. Key Points: MERiT is an innovative low‐mass compact particle telescope measuring electrons and protons with APD‐SSD combination tailored for CubeSatsMERiT characterizes microbursts with high time resolution in multiple differential channels providing spectra from 5 keV to 10 MeVMERiT science objectives include electron dynamics in the outer Van Allen belt and solar energetic particle transport and loss [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Abstract:The Miniaturized Electron pRoton Telescope, MERiT, is a low‐mass, low‐power, compact instrument using an innovative combination of particle detectors, sensor electronics, and onboard processing. MERiT is flying on the Compact Radiation belt Explorer, CeREs, a 3U CubeSat launched into a low earth orbit of 500‐km altitude and inclination of 85° on 16 December 2018. The primary and secondary science goals of CeREs are to investigate electron microbursts and to study solar particles. MERiT comprises a stack of solid state detectors (SSD) behind space facing avalanche photo diodes (APDs) surrounded by W‐Al shielding to reduce side‐penetrating particle background. The APD‐SSD combination enables measurement of electrons from  5 to 200 keV and  1 to 8 MeV; protons from  200–400 keV and 7–100 MeV in differential channels with energy resolution ΔE/E≈30% for both electrons and protons. MERiT measures microbursts with a high time resolution ranging from 4 to 16 ms and solar particles with a cadence of 1 s. MERiT energy channels and cadences are software configurable via algorithms and lookup tables residing on a field‐programmable gate array. The lookup tables can be changed via ground commands. MERiT geometry factor is 31 cm2‐sr and optimized to measure microbursts with the instrument viewing the local zenith in orbit. MERiT enables investigation of dynamical processes of radiation belt electron energization and loss, solar electron and proton transport, and their access to the Earth's polar caps. We describe the MERiT sensor design, calibration, operational modes, data products, and science goals. Key Points: MERiT is an innovative low‐mass compact particle telescope measuring electrons and protons with APD‐SSD combination tailored for CubeSatsMERiT characterizes microbursts with high time resolution in multiple differential channels providing spectra from 5 keV to 10 MeVMERiT science objectives include electron dynamics in the outer Van Allen belt and solar energetic particle transport and loss [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:21699380
DOI:10.1029/2018JA026304