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A technique for mass spectrometer measurements of atomic and molecular oxygen in the lower thermosphereA neutral mass spectrometer with a quasi-open ion source was flown on each of the Atmosphere Explorer (AE) C, D, and E satellites. The three instruments provided an opportunity to study the effects of different source insert materials on the source surface chemistry. It was found that, after a period of conditioning in space, the recombination coefficient of atomic oxygen on gold appears to be substantially lower than it is on Nichrome V. The lower recombination coefficient on gold allows the spectrometer to directly measure a significant fraction of the incident atomic oxygen, making it possible to distinguish between ambient O and O2. Equations are developed to calculate the atomic and molecular oxygen densities. Preliminary measurements of molecular oxygen densities obtained by this technique agree well with measurements taken in the fly-through mode of operation.
Document ID
19780046165
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Kayser, D. C.
(Minnesota Univ. Minneapolis, MN, United States)
Potter, W. E.
(Minnesota, University Minneapolis, Minn., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 1978
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 83
Subject Category
Spacecraft Instrumentation
Accession Number
78A30074
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS5-11438
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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