Mass Spectrometer

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Abstract
The IECM quadrupole Mass Spectrometer, developed by the Space Physics Research Laboratory, operates over the range of 2 to 150 amu. The Mass Spectrometer is able to measure from approximately 108 1 to 106 M atoms or molecular/cm2/sec/0.1 sr and uses sintered zirco-nium getter pumps to provide collimation to 0.1 sr. Each amu pulse count is integrated for 2 sec, accomplishing a full sweep in 300 sec, alternating with an equal number of steps on the water peak (amu 18). Thus, the full cycle requires 600 sec, or 10 min. This cycle is repeated throughout the mission unless commanded to other modes .f Also incorporated in the instrument is a 22Ne, H2180 gas release system which is designed to provide a measure-ment for evaluating differential scattering cross sections for collisions at Orbiter speeds (8 km/sec). To accomplish this measurement, the gas is released as the Orbiter is maneuvered to scan the Mass Spectrometer/gas release pointing vector from 180 to 0° with respect to the Orbiter velocity vector.

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