Design And Implementation Of A Relative Plasma Density Probe For The Hex Sounding Rocket Mission

Abstract

This thesis describes the design and implementation of a relative plasma density probe for the Horizontal E-region eXperiment (HEX) sounding rocket mission conducted by the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). The purpose of the plasma probe in the HEX experiment is to confirm the anticipated plasma depletion resulting from the upwelling of ionospheric gases theorized to exist poleward of an active auroral arc. The instrument uses a conducting band wrapped around the circumference of the rocket payload to collect and measure positively charged ions in the vicinity of an auroral arc while following a nearly horizontal trajectory. The probe collectors are biased to repel free thermal electrons while the ions are "swept up" by the cross sectional area of the probe's motion. A separate electrode detects the presence of high-energy electrons within the aurora. The resulting collector currents are measured and transmitted to ground equipment for archiving and later analysis.*<p> *This dissertation is a compound document (contains both a paper copy and a CD as part of the dissertation). The CD requires the following system requirements: Microsoft Office; QuickTime; Adobe Acrobat; Windows MediaPlayer or RealPlayer; Internet browser.<p>