A micro-machined energy-mass spectrograph for microsatellite applications

Research Support Instruments, Inc., with the aid of the PrincetonUniversity Photonics and Optoelectronic Materials (POEM) group, proposesthe development of a micro-chip energy-mass spectrograph for spaceenvironment sensing aboard microsatellites. The micro-machinedenergy-mass spectrograph (M^2-EMS) is envisioned as a micro-miniaturizedreplacement for conventional particle energy and mass detection systemsemployed as space environment sensors. The M^2-EMS would employpseudo-parallel electric and magnetic fields to separate particles bytheir energy:charge and mass:charge ratios. Micro-machined from Siwafers by anisotropic etching and outfitted with charged particle opticelectrodes by standard lithographic techniques, the M^2-EMS energy-massfilter separator would be small and robust. Detection could be achievedby existing charge coupled-device technology. Because of the smallscale, arrays of M^2-EMS could be constructed on a single wafer, andfurther parallel detection becomes possible. Funding is requested todesign and construct such a device and perform an elementaryproof-of-concept study.The micro-machined energy-mass spectrograph is envisioned as amicro-miniaturized replacement for conventional particle and energy massdetection systems in use in space applications and in industrial andlaboratory plasma and vacuum systems. These miniature particle massand energy detectors would be small enough to be integrated intomicro-satellites, robust enough to be used in demanding hazard detectionwork, and inexpensive enough to be utilized in less demandingapplications. The M^2-EMS would be versatile enough to be applied tothe particle detection needs of satellite and terrestrial users.