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JGR Space Physics - 2018 - Lioliou - GaAs Spectrometer for Planetary Electron Spectroscopy.pdf (1.14 MB)

GaAs spectrometer for planetary electron spectroscopy

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Version 2 2023-06-20, 14:17
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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-20, 14:17 authored by Grammatiki LioliouGrammatiki Lioliou, Silvia Butera, Shifan Zhao, Michael WhitakerMichael Whitaker, Anna BarnettAnna Barnett
Work towards producing a radiation-hard and high temperature tolerant direct detection electron spectrometer is reported. The motivation is to develop a low-mass, low-volume, low-power, multi-mission capable instrument for future space science missions. The resultant prototype electron spectrometer employed a GaAs p+-i-n+ mesa photodiode (10 µm i layer thickness; ß00 µm diameter) and a custom-made charge-sensitive preamplifier. The GaAs detector was initially electrically characterized as a function of temperature. The detector-preamplifier assembly was then investigated for its utility in electron spectroscopy across the temperature range 100 °C to 20 °C using a laboratory 63Ni radioisotope ?- particle source (end point energy = 66 keV). Monte Carlo simulations using the computer program CASINO were conducted and showed that the spectrometer had a quantum detection efficiency which increased with increasing electron energy up to 70 keV; a quantum detection efficiency of 73 % was calculated. The accumulated 63Ni ?- particle spectra together with CASINO simulations of the detected spectra showed that the GaAs based spectrometer could be used for counting electrons and measuring the energy deposited per electron in the detector’s active region (i layer). The development of a GaAs electron spectrometer of this type may find use in future space missions to environments of intense radiation (such as at the surface of Europa for investigation of electron-driven radiolysis of ice) and high temperature (such as at Mercury, and comets passing close to the Sun).

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics

ISSN

2169-9402

Publisher

American Geophysical Union

Issue

9

Volume

123

Page range

7568-7580

Department affiliated with

  • Engineering and Design Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Space Research Group Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-09-05

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-09-05

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-09-04

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