Constraining electric fields from electrostatic deflector plates: A brief report and case study from the Fast Plasma Investigation for the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission. Issue 8 (24th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Collinson, Glyn A.; McFadden, James P.; Chornay, Dennis J.; Gershman, Daniel; Moore, Thomas E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 121:Issue 8(2016:Aug.)
• Page Start: 7887
• Page End: 7894
• Publication Date: 2016-08-24
• Subjects: Plasma Instrumentation -- Top Hat Analyzer -- Deflector Plates -- Measurement Techniques; Magnetospheric physics -- Periodicals; Space environment -- Periodicals; Cosmic physics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Atmospheres -- Periodicals; Heliosphere (Astrophysics) -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 523.01
• DOI: 10.1002/2016JA022590
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9380

Abstract

Abstract: A common feature of top hat space plasma analyzers are electrostatic "deflector plates" mounted externally to the aperture which steer the incoming particles and permit the sensor to rapidly scan the sky without moving. However, the electric fields generated by these plates can penetrate the mesh or grid on the outside of the sensor, potentially violating spacecraft electromagnetic cleanliness requirements. In this brief report we discuss how this issue was addressed for the Dual Electron Spectrometer for the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission using a double‐grid system and the simple modeling technique employed to assure the safe containment of the stray fields from its deflector plates. Key Points: Electric fields generated by electrostatic deflector plates can generate electromagnetic interference We describe a simple technique for rapidly modeling field penetration through aperture grids We demonstrate how this problem was solved for the MMS‐FPI sensors with dual grids over the aperture