Modification of the special sensor ultraviolet limb imagers

A. C. Nicholas; S. E. Thonnard; P. C. Kalmanson; K. M. Weldy; T. Duffey; P. Jaffe; S. P. Lynch; P. Walker; K. Dymond; S. Budzien

doi:10.1117/12.618461

18 August 2005 Modification of the special sensor ultraviolet limb imagers

A. C. Nicholas, S. E. Thonnard, P. C. Kalmanson, K. M. Weldy, T. Duffey, P. Jaffe, S. P. Lynch, P. Walker, K. Dymond, S. Budzien

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5901, Solar Physics and Space Weather Instrumentation; 59010J (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.618461
Event: Optics and Photonics 2005, 2005, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The first of five Special Sensor Ultraviolet Limb Imager (SSULI) sensors was launched on the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F16 spacecraft in October of 2003 into a sun-synchronous 830 km circular orbit at a local time of 0800-2000 UT. During initial sensor turn-on and evaluation, unusually high levels of background events were observed by the detector. The severity of this background is often sufficient to exceed the counting limit of the electronics as well as contribute to a rapid decrease in detector performance. In light of the SSULI performance degradation and concerns that the subsequent sensors may be affected in a similar manner, a "Tiger Team" investigation was launched to determine the source of the anomalous events. The conclusion from the investigation attributes the observed anomalous events to high levels of non-photon noise caused by ambient ions entering the instrument and striking the front microchannel plate. Additionally, the team made recommendations to mitigate the problem on future flights.

Citation Download Citation

A. C. Nicholas, S. E. Thonnard, P. C. Kalmanson, K. M. Weldy, T. Duffey, P. Jaffe, S. P. Lynch, P. Walker, K. Dymond, and S. Budzien "Modification of the special sensor ultraviolet limb imagers", Proc. SPIE 5901, Solar Physics and Space Weather Instrumentation, 59010J (18 August 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.618461

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available