Ion drift meter

Ion drift meter

An ion drift meter is a device used to measure the velocity of individual ions in the area of a spacecraft. This information can then be used to calculate the ion drift in the space surrounding the instrument as well as the strength of any electric field present, provided that the magnetic field strength has been determined using a magnetometer. [ [http://utd500.utdallas.edu/DE2_DATA.html DYNAMICS EXPLORER 2, Retarding Potential Analyzer and Ion Drift Meter ] ] [ [http://www.amptek.com/didm.html Digital Ion Drift Meter (DIDM) ] ]

The device itself works by allowing ions to pass through an opening at the front of the instrument and measuring the currents produced by the impacts of ions in different locations on a grid at the back. The trajectories of the ions can then be determined.

Ion drift meters have been used on several spacecraft including Dynamics Explorer and CHAMP. [ [http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2002AGUSMSM41C..12C The Digital Ion Drift-Meter on CHAMP; Status, Calibration, and Data ] ]

References


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