Compact Dual Ion Composition Experiment for space plasmas—CoDICE

Abstract

AbstractThe Compact Dual Ion Composition Experiment—CoDICE—simultaneously provides high‐quality plasma and energetic ion composition measurements over six decades in energy in a wide variety of space plasma environments. CoDICE measures two critical ion populations in space plasmas: (1) Elemental and charge state composition, and 3‐D velocity distributions of <10 eV/q–40 keV/q plasma ions; and (2) Elemental composition, energy spectra, and angular distributions of ∼30 keV–>10 MeV energetic ions. CoDICE uses a novel, integrated, common time‐of‐flight subsystem that provides several advantages over the commonly used separate plasma and energetic ion sensors currently flying on several space missions. These advantages include reduced mass and volume compared to two separate instruments, reduced shielding in high‐radiation environments, and simplified spacecraft interface and accommodation requirements. This paper describes the operation principles, electro‐optic simulation results and applies the CoDICE concept for measuring plasma and energetic ion populations in Jupiter's magnetosphere.