Retarding Potential Analyzer (RPA) for Sounding Rocket

Abstract

Problems associated with Retarding Potential Analyzer (RPA), which can be used to measure ion temperature/and density in the lower E region where ion temperature is 200-300 K, are discussed. Two major factors which need to be taken care of to get accurate ion temperature of extremely low values are the effect of mesh size of the grids to be used and the effect of electrode contamination. An electrode baking and vacuum sealing mechanisms are designed to keep the electrode surface clean. The effect of mesh sizes on the calculation of ion temperature is discussed by using simulation studies as well as laboratory experiments. The study suggests that the uniformity of the electric field in the RPA sensor is critical. The manuscript describes the principle of the RPA, the effect of the mesh size using computer simulation studies, and the mechanical design of the sensor sealing to remove electrode contamination.

Isolated Peak of Oxygen Ion Fraction in the Post‐Noon Equatorial F‐Region: ICON and SAMI3/WACCM‐X

“…By comparing the ion currents under various grid voltages, one can infer the ion composition in-situ. Readers can find detailed information on the IVM principles in Heelis et al (2017, Equation 1) and Fang and Cheng (2013).…”

Rocket‐borne measurements of electron temperature and density with the Electron Retarding Potential Analyzer instrument

“…, ; Bankov et al. , ; Fang and Cheng , ] and planetary missions [ Knudsen et al , ; Hanson and Mantas , ]. However, there have been very limited attempts to obtain electron parameters using a retarding potential analyzer design [ Rajput and Garg , ].…”

“…Retarding potential analyzers (RPAs) have a long heritage of use for determining ion plasma parameters (hence the moniker "ion trap") on satellites and sounding rockets at Earth [e.g., Hanson et al, 1970Hanson et al, , 1993Su, 1999, 2000;Chao et al, 2003;Bankov et al, 2009;Fang and Cheng, 2013] and planetary missions [Knudsen et al, 1980;Hanson and Mantas, 1988]. However, there have been very limited attempts to obtain electron parameters using a retarding potential analyzer design [Rajput and Garg, 2002].…”

Determining the ion temperature and energy distribution in a lithium-plasma interaction test stand with a retarding field energy analyzer

“…(a) Currents relative to the ion discriminating potential for the primary feature. The collected current appears to never reach a saturation value, which may be caused by the minimal influence of the space charge effect, 19 the sheath expansion effect, 17,21 or a combination of both. (b) Currents relative to the ion discriminating potential for the secondary feature.…”