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O'Brien L, Auer S, Gemer A, Grün E, Horanyi M, Juhasz A, Kempf S, Malaspina D, Mocker A, Moebius E, Srama R, Sternovsky Z. Development of the nano-dust analyzer (NDA) for detection and compositional analysis of nanometer-size dust particles originating in the inner heliosphere. Rev Sci Instrum 2014; 85:035113. [PMID: 24689626 DOI: 10.1063/1.4868506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A linear time-of-flight mass spectrometer is developed for the detection and chemical analysis of nanometer-sized particles originating near the Sun. Nano-dust particles are thought to be produced by mutual collisions between interplanetary dust particles slowly spiraling toward the Sun and are accelerated outward to high velocities by interaction with the solar wind plasma. The WAVES instruments on the two STEREO spacecraft reported the detection, strong temporal variation, and potentially high flux of these particles. Here we report on the optimization and the results from the detailed characterization of the instrument's performance using submicrometer sized dust particles accelerated to 8-60 km/s. The Nano Dust Analyzer (NDA) concept is derived from previously developed detectors. It has a 200 cm(2) effective target area and a mass resolution of approximately m/Δm = 50. The NDA instrument is designed to reliably detect and analyze nanometer-sized dust particles while being pointed close to the Sun's direction, from where they are expected to arrive. Measurements by such an instrument will determine the size-dependent flux of the nano-dust particles and its variations, it will characterize the composition of the nano-dust and, ultimately, it may determine their source. The flight version of the NDA instrument is estimated to be <5 kg and requires <10 W for operation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L O'Brien
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
| | - S Auer
- A&M Associates, Bayse, Virginia 22810, USA
| | - A Gemer
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
| | - E Grün
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
| | - M Horanyi
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
| | - A Juhasz
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
| | - S Kempf
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
| | - D Malaspina
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
| | - A Mocker
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
| | - E Moebius
- Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, USA
| | - R Srama
- Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Z Sternovsky
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
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Hillier JK, Postberg F, Sestak S, Srama R, Kempf S, Trieloff M, Sternovsky Z, Green SF. Impact ionization mass spectra of anorthite cosmic dust analogue particles. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1029/2012je004077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Xie J, Sternovsky Z, Grün E, Auer S, Duncan N, Drake K, Le H, Horanyi M, Srama R. Dust trajectory sensor: accuracy and data analysis. Rev Sci Instrum 2011; 82:105104. [PMID: 22047326 DOI: 10.1063/1.3646528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The Dust Trajectory Sensor (DTS) instrument is developed for the measurement of the velocity vector of cosmic dust particles. The trajectory information is imperative in determining the particles' origin and distinguishing dust particles from different sources. The velocity vector also reveals information on the history of interaction between the charged dust particle and the magnetospheric or interplanetary space environment. The DTS operational principle is based on measuring the induced charge from the dust on an array of wire electrodes. In recent work, the DTS geometry has been optimized [S. Auer, E. Grün, S. Kempf, R. Srama, A. Srowig, Z. Sternovsky, and V Tschernjawski, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 79, 084501 (2008)] and a method of triggering was developed [S. Auer, G. Lawrence, E. Grün, H. Henkel, S. Kempf, R. Srama, and Z. Sternovsky, Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A 622, 74 (2010)]. This article presents the method of analyzing the DTS data and results from a parametric study on the accuracy of the measurements. A laboratory version of the DTS has been constructed and tested with particles in the velocity range of 2-5 km/s using the Heidelberg dust accelerator facility. Both the numerical study and the analyzed experimental data show that the accuracy of the DTS instrument is better than about 1% in velocity and 1° in direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Xie
- NASA Lunar Science Institute: Colorado Center for Lunar Dust and Atmospheric Studies, and Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
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Sternovsky Z, Chamberlin P, Horanyi M, Robertson S, Wang X. Variability of the lunar photoelectron sheath and dust mobility due to solar activity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1029/2008ja013487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Z. Sternovsky
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics; University of Colorado; Boulder Colorado USA
| | - P. Chamberlin
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics; University of Colorado; Boulder Colorado USA
| | - M. Horanyi
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics; University of Colorado; Boulder Colorado USA
| | - S. Robertson
- Physics Department; University of Colorado; Boulder Colorado USA
| | - X. Wang
- Physics Department; University of Colorado; Boulder Colorado USA
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Sternovsky Z, Amyx K, Bano G, Landgraf M, Horanyi M, Knappmiller S, Robertson S, Grün E, Srama R, Auer S. Large area mass analyzer instrument for the chemical analysis of interstellar dust particles. Rev Sci Instrum 2007; 78:014501. [PMID: 17503935 DOI: 10.1063/1.2431089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
A new instrument to analyze the chemical composition of dust particles in situ in space has been developed. The large target area ( approximately 0.2 m(2)) makes this instrument well suited for detecting a statistically significant number of interstellar dust grains or other dust particles with a low flux. The device is a reflectron-type time-of-flight mass spectrometer that uses only flat electrodes for the generation of the parabolic potential. The instrument analyzes the ions from the impact generated plasma due to hypervelocity dust impacts onto a solid target surface. The SIMION ion optics software package is used to investigate different potential field configurations and optimize the mass resolution and focusing of the ions. The cylindrically symmetric instrument operates with six ring electrodes and six annular electrodes biased to different potentials to create the potential distribution of the reflectron. The laboratory model of the instrument has been fabricated and tested. Hypervelocity dust impacts are simulated by laser ablation using a frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser with approximately 8 ns pulse length. The experimental data show typical mass resolution m/Deltam approximately 200.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Sternovsky
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0392, USA.
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Sternovsky Z, Downum K, Robertson S. Numerical solutions to a kinetic model for the plasma-sheath problem with charge exchange collisions of ions. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys 2004; 70:026408. [PMID: 15447602 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.70.026408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
A kinetic model of the plasma-sheath problem is presented that includes the effects of charge-exchange collisions of the ion. The collisions are modeled as a sink for accelerated ions and as a source of cold ions. Solutions are obtained by numerical integration of Poisson's equation from a point near the plasma midplane to the wall. In the quasineutral region, these solutions agree with earlier analytic work. As the mean free path is decreased, the current density at the wall decreases and the potential profile in the quasineutral region shows a smooth transition from a parabolic profile to a nearly cubic profile determined by the ion mobility. An approximate expression is found for the ion flux to the wall in the collisional limit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Sternovsky
- Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0390, USA
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