Technology Advancements Enabling FPI v2.0 (FPIv2.0)
Project Description
Goddard Flight Center's Code 673 built the MMS Fast Plasma Investigation (FPI) providing unprecedented quality and temporal resolution for electron and ion measurements in the Earth’s environment. We plan to retain our leadership in this area by advancing components of the current detector system for the benefit of future Heliophysics projects.
The MMS FPI team proposes an instrument concept maturation project to develop the next generation of Heliophysics space plasma particle detectors with the goal of resolving the differential directional flux of electrons and ions in 128 energy bins between 1eV to 35keV, 32 instantaneous angle bins covering a 180O FOV, quantifiable deflections at the extremes of the energy sweeps, and 1-4ms temporal resolution. Characteristics of the system identified for advancement are:
- Optimization of the detector system, including:
- eliminate spatial dependence of microchannel plate (MCP) gain
- full characterization of dynamic and static MCP saturation
- reduction of anode crosstalk
- reduction of internal photoelectron susceptibility
- Increased geometric factor
- Options for refining/eliminating fast stepping power supply
- Options for ion composition determination
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Anticipated Benefits
Plasma particle detectors are an indispensable instrument on most Heliophysics and Planetary space missions. This project will enable faster measurements of charged particles in space thereby increasing the spatial and temporal resolution of the environmental conditions around Earth and other planetary bodies.
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Goddard Space Flight Center
(GSFC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Greenbelt, Maryland |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Maryland
