Miniaturized Optimized Smart Sensor (MOSS) for Space Plasma Diagnostics

We have designed, constructed, and tested a prototype Miniaturized Optimized Smart Sensor (MOSS) for diagnostic measurements of space plasmas. MOSS incorporates a miniaturizing (magnification < 1) optical system, novel electronics and sensor packaging concepts, a monolithic Microchannel Plate (MCP) holder, and light weight, low power high voltage supplies. The prototype weighs 410 grams and uses 220 mW of power. It covers an energy range of 1.6 to 25048 eV with a resolution (FWHM) of 0.13. The energy x geometry x efficiency factor is 1.8 × 10 -3 cm 2 str eV/eV cts/ion over a field of view of 7.3 ° × 360°.