SwRI Develops More Effective Particle Conversion Surfaces For Space Instruments

SwRI Develops More Effective Particle Conversion Surfaces For Space Instruments
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 26, 2024

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is channeling internal funds towards the innovation of advanced conversion surfaces for spacecraft instruments. These surfaces, characterized by their ultra-smooth, ultra-thin nature, are designed to transform neutral atoms into ions, thereby amplifying the efficiency of detecting outer space particles.

Dr. Jianliang Lin from the Mechanical Engineering Division and Dr. Justyna Sokol from the Space Science Division spearhead this cross-disciplinary initiative, leveraging prior achievements in conversion surfaces made for the IMAP-Lo instrument on the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) spacecraft. IMAP's mission, slated for a 2025 launch, aims to elucidate the dynamics at the edge of our heliosphere-a significant zone where the solar wind prevails over interstellar medium interactions.

The core principle behind these surfaces involves the modification of incoming low-energy atoms' electrical charges upon contact, facilitating their acceleration and subsequent analysis based on mass and other attributes. "This conversion not only simplifies but also refines the detection process, making it more accurate in analyzing the properties of space particles," remarked Sokol.

Durability and efficiency are paramount, as these surfaces are expected to retain their conversion capabilities throughout the extended durations of space missions. Lin highlighted the surfaces' unique attributes: "Their thickness is less than 50 nanometers, achieving a level of smoothness near perfection, which is critical to preventing particle slowdown through energy scattering."

The ongoing research, building upon foundations laid at The University of Bern, now explores the use of cadmium telluride (CdTe) and zinc selenide (ZnSe) as potential materials for even more effective conversion surfaces. Lin shared insights into the innovation: "The application of CdTe and ZnSe thin films could significantly minimize angular scattering, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the conversion process."

Having already developed a ZnSe film that meets the requisite smoothness criteria, SwRI's next steps involve evaluating its performance as a conversion surface. Lin expressed confidence in SwRI's interdisciplinary approach and expertise in both spacecraft instrumentation and thin film development as crucial to surpassing current conversion surface capabilities.