A Device to Measure Mass Density and Atomic Oxygen Concentration in the Lower Thermosphere: Calibration and Signal Estimates

摘要

A device has been developed that can simultaneously measure the total mass density rho and the number density of atomic oxygen n(O) in a flowing gas stream. It consists of a pair of matched thermopiles, one of which is coated with silver to catalize the recombination of atomic oxygen. The device has been calibrated in the laboratory. Signal levels are estimated for both rocket-borne and satellite-borne configurations and are shown to be adequate to measure rho and n(O) in the lower thermosphere. (Author)