Charging characteristics of Dynamic Explorer I Retarding Ion Mass Spectrometer and the consequence for core plasma measurements
By: R.C. Olsen
Contributors: Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Dept. of Physics
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School; Available from National Technical Information Service
Published: 1989
Place of publication: Monterey, Calif; Springfield, Va
Language: eng
Number of pages: 51
Subjects: MAGNETOSPHERE; PLASMAS(PHYSICS); MASS SPECTROMETRY; SPACECRAFT CHARGING
Other titles: NPS-61-89-014.
Description: The Retarding Ion Mass Spectrometer (RIMS) on the Dynamics Explorer I (DE I)      satellite has provided a new range of data, and challenges for studies of the core plasma      of the magnetosphere. Analysis of the RIMS data provides a measure of the satellite      potential in the inner magnetosphere. As the satellite leaves the inner plasmasphere, it      begins to charge positively, crossing the 0 V mark at about 1000/cc. The potential rises      slowly initially, reaching about 1 V near the plasmapause, at the 100/cc point. At lower      densities, the potential rises relatively rapidly, reaching +5 V or greater at the 10/cc      point. For satellite potentials of +1 to +5 V, portions of the ion distribution function are      lost to measurement because the ions are repelled by the satellite. In particular, in a      multi-temperature plasma, the cold component is easily lost in this potential (density)      regime. It is in this regime where aperture bias techniques have been successfully used,      particularly in measurements of field- aligned ion flows such as the polar wind, which      have sufficient kinetic energy to overcome electrostatic barriers in front of the aperture      plane. At lower densities (<10/cc), the satellite potential can exceed +5 V. At such      potentials the core plasma is lost to the RIMS, and even the aperture bias techniques      are no lower successful. Keywords: Spacecraft charging; Thermal plasmas; Mass      spectrometry. (EDC)
Notes: Title from cover.

"NPS-61-89-014."

"September 1989."

"Technical report."

AD A214 013.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 26-28)

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