Performance of the SUDA Dust Trajectory Analyzer

Abstract:

SUDA is a reflectron-type time-of-flight mass spectrometer with incoming dust velocity capabilty. SUDA is an instrument designed to analyze the chemical composition of ejecta dust particles originating from the surface of the Jovian moon Europa released by micrometeoroid bombardment. We are modeling the hexagonal entry grid layout for optimized signal-to-noise ratio, sensitive velocity measurement and field-of-view. The accurate velocity information will enable us to reconstruct the particles' trajectories, and in turn their origin on the surface with sufficient accuracy to resolve relevant geophysical features. The models are created and tested within a commercial software package, Coulomb, a Poisson solver that uses Boundary Element and Finite Element Methods for obtaining the relaxation of electric fields in given geometry to a given level of accuracy.