Ion generation and introduction apparatus for planetary atmosphere and ionosphere sounding

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of space environment detection, in particular to an ion generation and introduction device for planetary atmosphere and ionosphere detection. The ion generation and introduction device comprises a gas sampling assembly located at the top of an ionization chamber (3), symmetrically arranged electron emission and control assemblies located in the ionization chamber (3), an ionization chamber voltage regulation assembly located between the electron emission and control assemblies, and an ion extraction lens assembly located at the side of the ionization chamber (3). The ion generation and introduction device meets the requirement of ion generation and introduction device output ions for the measurement of neutral gas and ion isotope in the atmosphere and ionosphere of the earth and extraterrestrial planets and small celestial bodies, and has the ability to support subsequent high-precision and large-range mass resolution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of space environment detection technology, and in particular to an ion generation and introduction device for planetary atmosphere and ionosphere detection. Background Technology

[0002] The atmosphere and ionosphere of Earth, exoplanets, and small celestial bodies are important components of their space environments and are key areas of focus for human exploration of these celestial bodies. Obtaining isotopic data on the neutral gas and ion content of the orbital atmospheres of Earth, exoplanets, and small celestial bodies is crucial for scientific exploration of their atmospheres and ionospheres, as well as for atmospheric and ionospheric modeling.

[0003] Current on-board atmospheric measurement technologies can only measure the composition of neutral gases. Gas ionization is mostly achieved using straight-filament thermionic cathode electron emission sources and BA gauges, resulting in a narrow detection range and a pressure detection limit of only about 10. -8 Pa; the large spatiotemporal deviation after ionization of the same type of analyte leads to overlapping spectral peaks of ions with similar mass numbers, resulting in a mass resolution of only about 50, which is only suitable for detecting the main components of neutral gases at an altitude of about 300-600 kilometers in Earth's orbit. The atmospheric pressure of exoplanets and small celestial bodies varies greatly, and the lower limit of pressure detection can reach 10. -13 For measurements of neutral gases and ion isotopes, a mass resolution of over 300 is required. Therefore, developing an orbital atmospheric neutral gas and ion generation and introduction device that increases the total amount of neutral gas ionization, reduces the spatiotemporal deviation of emitted ions, and is compatible with the requirements for detecting neutral gas and ion isotope content is an important development direction. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the aforementioned problems and to provide an ion generation and introduction device for orbital atmosphere and ionosphere detection of Earth, exoplanets, and small celestial bodies. The device comprises: a gas sampling assembly, an electron emission and control assembly, an ionization chamber voltage regulation assembly, and an ion extraction lens electrode assembly. The gas sampling assembly samples environmental ions and neutral gases. The electron emission and control assembly and the ionization chamber voltage regulation assembly increase the total amount of ions generated by gas ionization, expanding the measurement range and pressure limit, and ensuring a consistent ionization rate. By changing the voltage of the ionization chamber voltage regulation system and the ion extraction lens, ions generated after the ionization of neutral particles and ions directly incident from space are introduced into the subsequent mass analysis measurement, reducing the spatiotemporal deviation of the emitted ions and supporting subsequent high-precision and large-range mass resolution. This invention has broad application potential in the fields of Earth space and exoplanet and small celestial body detection.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an ion generation and introduction device for planetary atmosphere and ionospheric detection. The ion generation and introduction device includes a gas sampling assembly located at the top of an ionization chamber 3, symmetrically arranged electron emission and control assemblies within the ionization chamber 3, an ionization chamber voltage regulation assembly located between the electron emission and control assemblies, and an ion extraction lens assembly located on the side of the ionization chamber 3; wherein,

[0006] The gas sampling component is used to collect environmental ions and neutral gas molecules.

[0007] The electron emission and control component is used to emit an electron beam and guide electrons into the ionization region, thereby ionizing neutral gas molecules to produce ions.

[0008] The ionization chamber voltage regulation component is used to bind ions, increase the total number of ions in the ionization region, and introduce ions into the extraction lens electrode assembly.

[0009] The ion extraction lens assembly is a device for focusing ions introduced into the ionization region and then extracting them.

[0010] Preferably, the gas sampling assembly includes an air inlet 2 and an attraction grid 1. The attraction grid 1 is a grid installed outside the air inlet 2 of the ionization chamber. The air inlet is a rectangular opening, and the line connecting the center of the air inlet and the center of the ionization chamber is perpendicular to the central axis of the ion generation and introduction device.

[0011] Preferably, the electron emission and control assembly includes an electron emission cathode assembly 4 and a voltage modulation electrode 5 connected in sequence. That is, the electron emission and control assembly consists of electron emission cathode assemblies 4 and voltage modulation electrodes 5 symmetrically installed on both sides of the line connecting the center of the air inlet and the center of the ionization chamber. The electron emission cathode assembly 4 is connected to the voltage modulation electrode 5 via a ceramic material. The electron emission cathode assembly 4 consists of a cathode and a support, etc., and its purpose is to emit electrons, thereby ionizing neutral gas molecules. The voltage modulation electrode 5 consists of several pairs of parallel cylindrical electrodes and is used for extracting and focusing electrons from the cathode. The focused electron beam moves to the other side of the ionization chamber and is captured by the emission and control assembly located on the other side.

[0012] Preferably, the ionization chamber voltage control assembly includes: a first gate electrode 6 and a second gate electrode 7 that are relatively parallel to each other; the first gate electrode 6 applies and changes voltage to extract ions and introduce them into the ion extraction lens electrode assembly. The first gate electrode 6 and the second gate electrode 7, by applying voltage, allow the ionized ions to remain in the ionization chamber for a period of time, increasing the total number of measurable ions in the ionization chamber; the first gate electrode 6 is connected to the ion extraction lens electrode assembly via a ceramic material. Preferably, the ion extraction lens assembly is located on one side of the first gate electrode 6; the ion extraction lens assembly consists of an extraction lens electrode group 8, that is, it includes several parallel annular electrodes, which accelerate and focus ions in the ionization region by applying voltage, reducing the spatiotemporal deviation of ions and extracting them.

[0013] The attraction grid, electron emission cathode assembly, voltage modulation electrode, first gate electrode, second gate electrode, and lead-out lens electrode group are all insulated with alumina ceramic, and the inner wall of the cavity is plated with a gold film for oxidation resistance.

[0014] This invention provides an ion generation and introduction device for planetary atmosphere and ionospheric exploration, comprising a gas sampling component, an electron emission and control component, an ionization chamber voltage regulation component, and an ion extraction lens. The gas sampling component samples environmental ions and neutral gases; the electron emission and control component and the ionization chamber voltage regulation component increase the total ion volume in the ionization region, expanding the measurement range and pressure limit, and ensuring a consistent ionization rate; the ionization chamber voltage regulation system and the ion extraction lens introduce ions generated after the ionization of neutral particles and ions directly incident from outer space into the subsequent mass analysis measurement end, reducing the spatiotemporal deviation of the emitted ions and supporting subsequent high-precision and large-range mass resolution.

[0015] The cathode of the electron emission cathode assembly can be a planar, filament, or conical cathode. Although planar and conical cathodes produce ions with smaller spatiotemporal deviations, they consume more power than filament cathodes and require higher installation precision.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are:

[0017] This invention provides an ion generation and introduction device for planetary atmosphere and ionosphere detection. By modifying the voltage design of the gas sampling component, selective sampling of environmental ions and neutral gases is achieved. By designing the voltage and axisymmetric electrodes of the electron emission and control component, electrons emitted from the cathode are focused into a nearly parallel beam, and the energy of electrons in the ionization region remains the same, thus ensuring that the ionization rate of each component is consistent throughout the ionization region. By designing the voltage and geometry of the electron emission and control component and the ionization chamber voltage regulation component, a negative potential trap is formed in the ionization region, confining ionized ions within the trap, thereby increasing the total ion volume in the ionization region and expanding the measurement range and pressure limit. By changing the voltage of the ionization chamber voltage regulation system and the ion extraction lens, ions generated after the ionization of neutral particles are accelerated and focused with ions directly incident from space, reducing the spatiotemporal deviation of similar emitted ions. It meets the requirements of the ion generation and introduction device output ions for the measurement of neutral gases and ion isotopes in the atmosphere and ionosphere of Earth, exoplanets, and small celestial bodies, and has the capability to support subsequent high-precision and large-range mass resolution. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the ion generation and introduction device for planetary atmosphere and ionosphere detection in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the ion generation and introduction device for planetary atmosphere and ionosphere detection according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure label:

[0021] 1. Attraction grid, 2. Air inlet, 3. Ionization chamber, 4. Electron emission cathode assembly, 5. Voltage modulation electrode, 6. First gate electrode, 7. Second gate electrode, 8. Lead-out lens electrode assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0023] This invention provides an ion generation and introduction device for planetary atmosphere and ionosphere detection, comprising: a gas sampling assembly, an electron emission and control assembly, an ionization chamber voltage regulation assembly, and an ion extraction lens assembly. The gas sampling assembly is used to repel and collect ions, enabling sampling of environmental ions and neutral gases. The electron emission and control assembly emits an electron beam and guides electrons into the ionization chamber (ionization region) 3 via voltage control, causing gas molecules to ionize. The ionization chamber voltage regulation assembly confines the ions generated by gas ionization, increasing the total ion volume in the ionization region, and by changing the applied voltage, repels electrons and pulls ions into the ion extraction lens assembly. The ion extraction lens assembly focuses the ions pulled into the ionization region and extracts them to the mass analysis and measurement end.

[0024] The gas sampling assembly includes an inlet 2 and an attraction grid 1. The attraction grid 1 is a grid installed outside the inlet 2 of the ionization chamber 3. The inlet 2 is a rectangular opening, and the angle between the line connecting the center of the inlet and the center of the ionization chamber 3 and the central axis of the ion generation and introduction device is 90°. By changing the voltage of the attraction grid 1 to introduce or repel ions, time-division measurement of ions and neutral gas is achieved.

[0025] The electron emission and control assembly consists of electron emission cathode assemblies 4 and voltage modulation electrodes 5 symmetrically mounted on both sides of the line connecting the center of the air inlet 2 and the center of the ionization chamber 3. The electron emission cathode assembly 4, composed of a cathode and a support, emits electrons to ionize the neutral gas. The voltage modulation electrode 5 consists of three pairs of parallel cylindrical electrodes. An applied voltage draws electrons from the cathode and focuses them, resulting in an average energy of approximately 70 eV as they move within the ionization chamber 3. The focused electrons then move to the other side of the ionization chamber 3 and are captured by the electron emission and control assembly symmetrically mounted on that side.

[0026] The ionization chamber voltage control assembly comprises a first gate electrode 6 and a second gate electrode 7 located on both sides of the ionization chamber 3, perpendicular to the central axis of the ion generation and introduction device, and parallel to each other. The first gate electrode 6 and the second gate electrode 7 apply voltage to allow ions generated after the neutral gas ionization to remain in the ionization chamber for a period of time, thereby increasing the total amount of measurable ions in the ionization chamber 3. The first gate electrode 6 introduces ions into the ion extraction lens electrode assembly by changing the voltage.

[0027] The ion extraction lens assembly consists of an extraction lens electrode group 8, which comprises three parallel annular electrodes. By applying voltage, the electrodes accelerate and focus the ions introduced from the ionization chamber 3, reducing the spatiotemporal deviation of the ions and extracting them from the ion generation and introduction device.

[0028] In addition to electron emission cathode assembly 4 Figure 1-2All other structural components shown can be made of aluminum. The attraction grid 1, electron emission cathode assembly 4, voltage modulation electrode 5, first gate electrode 6, second gate electrode 7, and ion extraction lens electrode assembly are all insulated with alumina ceramic. The electron emission cathode assembly is connected to the voltage modulation electrode 5 via alumina ceramic material, and the first gate electrode 6 is connected to the extraction lens electrode assembly via alumina ceramic material. Except for the electron emission cathode assembly 4, the inner wall of the ion extraction, ion generation, and introduction device cavity is plated with a gold film for oxidation resistance.

[0029] All aspects not described in detail in this invention can be covered using conventional technical knowledge in the field.

[0030] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions to the technical solutions of the present invention do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ion generation and introduction device for planetary atmosphere and ionosphere detection, characterized in that, The ion generation and introduction device includes a gas sampling assembly located at the top of the ionization chamber (3), symmetrically arranged electron emission and control assemblies within the ionization chamber (3), an ionization chamber voltage regulation assembly located between the electron emission and control assemblies, and an ion extraction lens assembly located on the side of the ionization chamber (3); wherein, The gas sampling component is used to collect environmental ions and neutral gas molecules. The electron emission and control component is used to emit an electron beam and guide electrons into the ionization region, thereby ionizing neutral gas molecules to produce ions. The ionization chamber voltage regulation component is used to bind ions, increase the total number of ions in the ionization region, and introduce ions into the extraction lens electrode assembly. The ion extraction lens assembly is a device for focusing ions introduced into the ionization region and then extracting them.

2. The ion generation and introduction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas sampling assembly includes an air inlet (2) and an attraction grid (1), the attraction grid (1) being installed on the outside of the air inlet (2).

3. The ion generation and introduction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electron emission and control assembly includes an electron emission cathode assembly (4) and a voltage modulation electrode (5) connected in sequence, wherein, The electron emission cathode assembly (4) is used to emit electrons, thereby ionizing neutral gas molecules; The voltage modulation pole (5) is used to extract and focus electrons. The focused electron beam moves to the other side of the ionization chamber and is captured by the electron emission and control component located on the other side.

4. The ion generation and introduction device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The electron emission cathode assembly (4) includes a cathode and a support.

5. The ion generation and introduction device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The voltage modulation pole (5) consists of several pairs of parallel cylindrical electrodes.

6. The ion generation and introduction device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The electron emission cathode assembly (4) is connected to the voltage modulation electrode (5) via a ceramic material.

7. The ion generation and introduction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ionization chamber voltage control assembly includes a first gate electrode (6) and a second gate electrode (7) that are relatively parallel to each other; the ion extraction lens assembly is located on one side of the first gate electrode (6); The first gate electrode (6) and the second gate electrode (7) are used to apply voltage so that the ions generated after ionization remain in the ionization chamber, thereby increasing the total amount of measurable ions in the ionization chamber. The first gate electrode (6) is used to change the voltage and introduce ions into the ion extraction lens electrode assembly.

8. The ion generation and introduction apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first gate electrode (6) is connected to the ion extraction lens electrode assembly via a ceramic material.

9. The ion generation and introduction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ion extraction lens electrode assembly consists of an extraction lens electrode group (8), which includes several parallel annular electrodes.

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