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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp01g732dd11p
Title: Design of Princeton Space Physics ‘SWAPI’ Beam Monitor Testing Equipment
Authors: Montoya, Andres
Advisors: McComas, David
Department: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Class Year: 2021
Abstract: This design report summarizes the overall design process of developing a beam monitor system for the Princeton Space Physics Laboratory. The Space Physics group has the objective of testing the The Solar Wind and Pickup Ion (SWAPI) instrument on NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe. The Space Physics group is building the calibration system for SWAPI which is designed to fire ion beams of varying species, intensities, and energies comparable to the solar wind at the instrument. In order to carry out reliable instrument calibration, it is critical for the team to have the ability to analyze the beams in real time to ensure the beam meets the necessary test conditions. The beam monitor design meets this need by providing the lab with the capability of holding various imaging sensors in the path of the laboratory’s ion beam. The beam monitor functions to rotate sensors into the ion beam when measurements are required during SWAPI calibration without interruption of the overall test. The design of the beam monitor weighs 64 lbs and features linear and rotational stage hardware from external suppliers, a Microchannel plate sensor, the overall structural design, and spoke design. The beam monitor system combines both rotational and linear motion provided by rotational and linear stages. This allows for both complete coverage of the ion beam along with the innovative ability to rotate in multiple sensors from the same platform. Due to the constraint of having to operate in an ultra high vacuum environment, the design would be optimized for vacuum performance. The total cost of the project was $59,737.80 and all funding was approved by the Space Physics Lab group. In later sections, the report discusses the manufacturing, cleaning, and assembly of the beam monitor structural system. The conclusion summarizes the overall progress made during the spring semester and opportunities for future work and planned next steps for final integration of the beam monitor in the lab.
URI: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp01g732dd11p
Type of Material: Princeton University Senior Theses
Language: en
Appears in Collections:Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, 1924-2023

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