HR: 1340h
AN: SH44B-1734    [Abstracts]
TI: New Operational Modees of Linear-Electric-Field Time of Flight Telescopes
AU: * Gilbert, J A
EM: jagi@umich.edu
AF: University of Michigan, AOSS Dept., 2455 Hayward St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2143, United States
AU: Lundgren, R A
EM: rlundgre@umich.edu
AF: University of Michigan, AOSS Dept., 2455 Hayward St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2143, United States
AU: Panning, M H
EM: mpanning@umich.edu
AF: University of Michigan, AOSS Dept., 2455 Hayward St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2143, United States
AU: Rogacki, S A
EM: rogacki@umich.edu
AF: University of Michigan, AOSS Dept., 2455 Hayward St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2143, United States
AU: Zurbuchen, T H
EM: thomasz@umich.edu
AF: University of Michigan, AOSS Dept., 2455 Hayward St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2143, United States
AB: In situ measurements of space plasma have greatly improved our understanding of the space environment. For example, ion mass spectrometers that use electrostatic analyzers and time-of-flight systems enable researchers to identify revealing characteristics of ions in the solar wind. Using an optimized design of a linear-electric-field time-of-flight system, combined with a tophat electrostatic analyzer, we measure ions and make comparisons of resolution for both single and double-microchannel plate (MCP) configurations. The double-MCP design uses one MCP to detect straight-through particles and another to detect positive ions that experience isochronous time of flight. High mass resolution can be obtained because the isochronous ions are separated from their straight- through counterparts. In the single-MCP design, an isochronous ion will impact an emitting plate and send a secondary electron to the straight-through MCP. By focusing these secondary electrons and using position- sensitive detection, their signal can still be separated from particles that do not experience isochronous motion, thereby maintaining a high mass resolution. We also examine the ability to distinguish between molecules of similar mass, N₂⁺ and CO⁺, by studying their atomic daughter products after breakup through a thin carbon foil.
DE: 7594 Instruments and techniques
DE: 7599 General or miscellaneous
DE: 7894 Instruments and techniques
SC: SPA-Solar and Heliospheric Physics [SH]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting