Measurement Principle
SORBET [Sec.6 of Kasaba et al. (2020a)] has been designed to cover the high-frequency range via two subsystems/functions: one is the TNR, which is primarily designed to measure the in-situ electron densities and temperatures in the Hermean plasma and solar wind via continuous measurement of the plasma QTN around the electron plasma frequency (from 2.5 kHz to 640 kHz, hereafter called the TNR range). This frequency band includes the plasma frequencies expected on most parts of the Mio orbits. The voltage disturbances measured by electric antennae are converted into power spectra by a wavelet-like method in the SORBET onboard the FPGA. From these spectra, the electron density, thermal, and suprathermal temperatures are deduced on the ground by fitting a QTN model to each spectrum. In addition, the SORBET has two synchronized channels in the TNR range. Another subsystem is the HFR for observing radio waves from the Sun and around Mercury with electric field spectra in the range of 500 kHz to 10 MHz.
Members
- Co-Principal Investigator
- Karine Issautier (LESIA Observatoire de Paris, France)
- Lead Co-Investigator
- Karine Issautier (LESIA Observatoire de Paris, France)