Space science instrumentation · 1981 · 113 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesElectrical EngineeringPhysicsAntennasElectromagnetismPlasma PhysicsElectric FieldsElectromagnetic WavesPlasma DiagnosticsPlasma ElectrodynamicsPlasma WavesSpace PlasmasAntenna Design For PlasmasElectric Field SensingElectromagnetic Plasma WavesElectrostatic Plasma WavesPlasma AntennasPlasma Wave DiagnosticsPlasma Wave ExcitationPlasma Wave Propagation
It is explained that the Plasma Wave Instrument (PWI) on Dynamics Explorer-A measures both plasma wave phenomena and quasi-static electric fields. The quasi-static electric fields are measured parallel to the spin axis of the spacecraft in a range of 2 mV/m to 2 V/m and perpendicular to the spin axis 0.5 mV/m to 2 V/m at 16 samples/s. The ac electric field sensors include a 200-m tip-to-tip long wire antenna and a 0.6-m short electric antenna, both of which are perpendicular to the spin axis, and a 9-m tip-to-tip tubular antenna parallel to the spin axis. AC electric wave fields are measured over a frequency range of 1 Hz to 2 MHz and over an amplitude range of 0.03 microvolt/m to 100 mV/m.