A segmented calorimeter for low-energy particle beams in space

We describe a segmented calorimeter for determining the spatial intensity distribution of a neutral particle beam. Our instrument for a 1-MeV H/sup 0/ beam consists of a 5 x 5 array of boron nitride (BN) blocks, each block 0.975 cm by 0.975 cm by 0.053 cm thick, glued onto a polyimide printed circuit board. The temperature sensor behind each block is a special integrated circuit (AD590). The sensor data are multiplexed into an IBM AT computer for laboratory testing or into a telemetry system and a microVAX II computer for flight. Special features include protection against beam-induced sparking and the launch and space environment.