Thermospheric Diagnostics Using in situ Probing by Electron-Beam-Induced Luminescence

摘要

The development of an electron-beam-induced-luminescence system, suitable for integration in the payload of an Astrobee F test vehicle, is described. A modified Pierce-type electron gun is used in conjunction with a magnetic lens to provide a well-defined 60-mA beam at 3.0 kV. The target emissions induced by the beam are spectrally selected and measured using a government-furnished echelle spectrometer. Initial tests of the system are described. The development of auxilliary flight instrumentation is also documented. (Author)