Development and Investigation of a Modification to Extend the Dynamic Range of Electrostatic Analyzers.
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| Title: | Development and Investigation of a Modification to Extend the Dynamic Range of Electrostatic Analyzers. |
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| Authors: | Davis, L. A.1 (AUTHOR) lance.davis@unh.edu, Mouikis, C. G.1 (AUTHOR), Kistler, L. M.1 (AUTHOR), Coffey, V. N.2 (AUTHOR), Kucharek, H.1 (AUTHOR), Galvin, A. B.1 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics. Jan2026, Vol. 131 Issue 1, p1-15. 15p. |
| Subject Terms: | Electrostatic analyzers, Plasma diagnostics, Beam dynamics, Testing laboratories, Engineering instruments |
| Abstract: | Plasma populations within the solar system are distributed over a substantial range of densities, kinetic temperatures, and bulk velocities, from the solar wind to Earth's ionosphere. Measuring the full range of plasma conditions for some of these populations is difficult for current top‐hat electrostatic analyzers, let alone for multiple populations. A modification to the standard top‐hat electrostatic analyzer (ESA) design is developed and explored that extends the differential energy flux dynamic range of the instrument. The modification uses a secondary electrode placed on the outer portion of the analyzer optics to electrically control and vary the instrument's geometric factor (GF) by up to three orders of magnitude. The design space of the modification, such as its size and position within the analyzer channel, is investigated through ion optics simulations. As the GF is reduced, the energy and angular passbands of the analyzer narrow. The modification's impact on other instrument parameters and its advantages over other variable geometric factor systems (VGFS) are discussed. A prototype ESA with the presented modification was developed and tested. Laboratory results are consistent with the behavior of the modification from simulation predictions, verify the extension of the analyzer's dynamic range, and show the feasibility of the modification for future instrument designs. Plain Language Summary: Plasma within the solar system exists over a wide range of temperatures, densities, and velocities, from the fast‐flowing solar wind to the cold, dense plasma in Earth's ionosphere. An instrument that has been commonly used to measure the plasma distributions is the "top‐hat" electrostatic analyzer (ESA). Despite their long history of use, measuring the full range of temperatures, densities, and velocities of plasma within a specific region is difficult for current ESA designs. A modification to the standard ESA design that extends its ability to measure a much wider range of plasma conditions is presented. The modification uses a secondary electrode within the ESA electrical optics to electrically control the number of particles that reach the detector system, enabling the ESA to take measurements that would otherwise overwhelm the instrument. The design space of the modification is investigated through computer simulations. The energy and angular resolution of the instrument narrow as higher voltages are applied to the secondary electrode. The impact of the modification on instrument performance is discussed. Laboratory results of a prototype ESA are consistent with the behavior of the modification from simulation results, verify the modification performs as expected, and show its feasibility for future instrument designs. Key Points: The flux reducer modification to top‐hat electrostatic analyzers extends the instrument's dynamic range by up to three orders of magnitudeImpact of the flux reducer geometry on instrument performance is investigated through ion optics simulations and laboratory measurementsThe flux reducer enables a single instrument to take measurements over a wide range of plasma conditions, both high and low fluxes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | GreenFILE |
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