A new technique for in situ measurement of the composition of neutral gas in interplanetary space

摘要: Abstract Neutral atoms filling interplanetary space play an important role in many processes relevant to the formation and evolution of Solar System. A novel experimental approach for situ atom detection is proposed. The technique based on conversion neutral negative ions at a specially prepared sensitive surface. Negative are subsequently analyzed detected essentially noise-free mode. As application technique, study composition interstellar that penetrate System from local medium considered. It shown H, D O as well as, possibly, H2 molecules can be measured by proposed technique. experiment performed high-apogee Earth-orbiting satellite or deep probe. Other possible applications discussed briefly.