A 2 MV Van de Graaff accelerator as a tool for planetary and impact physics research.

摘要: Investigating the dynamical and physical properties of cosmic dust can reveal a great deal information about both its many sources. Over recent years, several spacecraft (e.g., Cassini, Stardust, Galileo, Ulysses) have successfully characterised interstellar, interplanetary, circumplanetary using variety techniques, including in situ analyses sample return. Charge, mass, velocity measurements are performed either directly (induced charge signals) or indirectly (mass from impact ionisation signals crater morphology) constrain parameters grains. Dust compositional may be obtained via time-of-flight mass spectrometry plasma direct The accurate reliable interpretation collected data requires comprehensive programme terrestrial instrument calibration. This process involves accelerating suitable solar system analogue particles to hypervelocity speeds laboratory, an activity at Max Planck Institut fur Kernphysik Heidelberg, Germany. Here, 2 MV Van de Graaff accelerator electrostatically accelerates charged micron submicron-sized up 80  km s−1. Recent advances production processing allowed (silicates other minerals) coated with thin conductive shell, enabling them accelerated. Refinements upgrades beam line instrumentation electronics now allow for selection velocities 1–80  km s−1 diameters between 0.05  μm 5  μm. ability select subsequent studies based on their charges, masses, is provided by particle unit (PSU). PSU contains field programmable gate array, capable monitoring real time particles’ controlled remotely custom, platform independent, software package. new control electronics, together wide range accelerable types, investigation phenomena across hitherto unobtainable parameters.