Background for JGO: Rosetta dual Langmuir probes (LAP)
LAP characteristics LAP is a part of the Rosetta Plasma Consortium, RPC Two 50 mm spheres (125 g/probe assembly) on booms < 2 m Individual biasing, voltage or current 2 ADCs/probe, 18.75 kHz 16-bit and 57.8 Hz 20-bit (2.1 W) TM: 2/62/2200 bps Products, 2200 bps: 57.8 Hz probe voltage/current 18.75 kHz snapshot & sweep every 32 s Products, 62 bps: 0.9 Hz probe voltage/current 18.75 kHz snapshot & sweep every few minutes
LAP capabilities
How to measure plasma density? Ion spectrometer? Vsc problems at low energy & density Noise integration in low densities Low time resolution Field of view Electron spectrometer? Vsc problems at low energies Natural waves? Wave identification Existence Sounder/impedance? Time resolution Excitation problems Langmuir probes? Probe current/probe characteristic at high densities Density from Vsc at low density Also LF wave E-field if two probes High time resolution
Dense plasma: Rosetta sweeps and current at Earth As on Cassini + waves
LAP Earth swingby 1 example 8000 4000 Mode change after c/a
Two probes means wake check 3rd Earth swingby, Nov 13, 2009
Tenuous plasma: Rosetta LAP Vps at Mars Rosetta Vps calibrated to MEX plasma density in the solar wind Agrees with Rosetta particle data High time resolution makes boundary studies possible [Edberg et al., Planet. Space Sci., 2009]
E-fields? Waves no problem DC? Perhaps when concentrated to tens of mV/m Possibly also lower fields on occasion…
Wake in solar wind: ion density Rosetta Software Model Results Discussion
With photoemission: eph density Rosetta Software Model Results Discussion
With photoemission: potential at probes Vsc = 10 V Rosetta Software Model Results Discussion Probe 1 blue, probe 2 red Wake signature almost drowned by photoelectrons
Inputs from Rosetta A multiprobe LP instrument is very flexible Ideal boom assembly should offer… Long baseline (for E-field) Biased elements close to probe (for shorting the shortening effect) Symmetry E-field capacity allows ne at high time resolution also in low densities Collaboration in a well working consortium is essential The team building the central unit has a very central position