First calibration measurements with the dust impact detector DIDSY-IPM

Abstract

The IPM detector consists of two separate impact ionization detectors, one of them covered by a 2.5 μm thick plastic film and a piezoelectric sensor mounted to the back of the joint impact plate. First impact tests, with iron projectiles in the mass range 10 −15 to 10 −9 g and in the speed range 1 km/s to 70 km/s, were performed with the calibration (FS) and the flight (F) model of this detector. The charge yield at 69 km/s impact speed (flyby speed of GIOTTO) has been extrapolated from the data and amounts to 400 Coulombs per gram. This corresponds to a preliminary sensitivity threshold for the impact ionization detector of about 6×10 −17 g. The penetration limit introduced by the plastic film is about 10 −14 g for iron particles. Only the biggest particles used for the test produced signals at the piezoelectric sensor. If one assumes an energy dependence of the piozoelectric signal, a preliminary sensitivity threshold of about 10 −13 g at 69 km/s can be established.