Scattering of hydrogen, nitrogen and water ions from micro pore optic plates for application in spaceborne plasma instrumentation

Abstract

Time-of-flight mass spectrometers for upcoming space missions into enhanced radiation environments need to be small, light weight and energy efficient. Time-of-flight systems using surface interactions as start-event generation can be smaller than foil-type instruments. Start surfaces for such applications need to provide narrow angular scattering, high ionization yields and high secondary electron emissions to be effective. We measured the angular scattering, energy distribution and positive ionization yield of micro pore optics for incident hydrogen, nitrogen and water ions at 2 keV. Positive ionization yields of 2% for H⁺ , 0.5% for N⁺ and 0.2% for H₂O⁺ were detected.