Laying The Foundations For The Development Of A Novel, Low-Energy,Space Plasma Detector
2024 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
Low-energy plasma detection measurements in space are amongst one of the mostimportant interests of space exploration. Conventionally, space plasma instruments have been using detectors like Channel Electron Multiplier (CEM) and Micro Channel Plates(MCPs) for low-energy particle detection. A novel detection technique using a SiliconPhotomultiplier (SiPM) solid-state detector coupled to a scintillator, shows a promising alternative to the conventional CEM/MCP detectors and offers the advantages of solid state technology for a low-energy, space plasma detector. In this thesis work, I have developed and tested the novel detector, its readout electronics,and an experimental setup that helps to measure the quantum efficiency (QE) of the detector. The novel detector is tested for functionality using two different scintillator materials i.e., LYSO and Exalite-404 at different electron energies. As the detector outputis a very low amplitude, high frequency signal, and SiPMs have a high level of low amplitude dark counts, development of custom readout electronics was a crucial aspect of the project. This unique piece of circuitry consists of a fast preamplifier along with an integral discriminator, and provides a powerful capability for future space instruments to process signals with a rise time of sub nanoseconds. I implemented the QE measurement setup by developing a CEM-based electron source for energies up to 3keV, a radioactive Ni63 beta source for higher electron energies up to 60keV, an electrostatic analyzer to selecta small band of energies from the electron sources, a CEM detector for reference and the novel detector. The setup provides a unique way of measuring the QE of a detector which has not been implemented before.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2024. , p. 76
Keywords [en]
Low-energy plasma detection
National Category
Other Physics Topics
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-104571OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ltu-104571DiVA, id: diva2:1844092
Subject / course
Student thesis, at least 30 credits
Educational program
Space Engineering, master's level (120 credits)
Presentation
2024-03-11, https://ltu-se.zoom.us/j/63764877551, 13:00 (English)
Supervisors
Examiners
2024-03-182024-03-132024-03-18Bibliographically approved