ESPRIT Senior Design Project - Spring 2004
Sponsored by: Dr. Belin
GROUP
MEMBERS: Brian Aippersbach, Tara Larzelere, Jessica Luther ,
Little is known about the reactions and processes that occur in the ionosphere. The ionosphere is comprised of altitudes from 50 km to 2000 km. Most of the research previously done within the ionosphere has focused on electron concentration and ion densities. However, very little has been done to measure the collision frequency of these particles. A way of calculating the collision frequency of particles within the ionosphere is by taking width measurements of the resonance peak, also called the quality factor.
This website addresses the final development and implementation of a probe that will measure the resonance peaks of plasma over an altitude range between 50km and 320km. Currently, systems to monitor the collision frequency are unavailable. The ESPRIT team has found that the location of the resonance peak can be determined by sweeping a range of frequencies between 100 kHz and 15 MHz. The ESPRIT program will collect pertinent data regarding amplitude and phase shift of the plasma response during the sweep. The phase response will be averaged in order to closely examine the quality factor of the resonance peak.
The ESPRIT team has designed a prototype plasma frequency probe (PFP) circuit along with a plasma simulation circuit used to aid testing of the PFP. Come inside and check out our design process and final product!
The SPIRIT III rocket launch with the PFP circuit onboard will be conduced in Andfya, Norway in the summer of 2006.
FINAL STATEMENT:
From the proposed solution presented above the ESPRIT team will be able to find the resonance peak of plasma in the ionosphere. The peak will be calculated after receiving the frequency values from the response of the plasma to the atmosphere. A graph of altitude vs. frequency will be produced. As Figure 1 discussed in the rational section, a peak will clearly be seen. The analyses given in this report shows the plasma frequency probe can accurately measure the quality factor of the ionosphere. Our choice of mimicking the function of a network analyzer allows us to find the phase and amplitude of the incoming signal from the probe surface. Our sponsor, Dr. Bilén, will take the data collected by the probe and use it to make a precise analysis of the collision frequency in the ionosphere. Because accurate records of collision frequencies are not currently available, construction and operation of the plasma probe is necessary.