Semiconductor projectile impact detector
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorEdward L. Shriver
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Abstract
A semiconductor projectile impact detector for use in determining micrometeorite presence as well as its flux and energy comprises a photovoltaic cell which generates a voltage according to the light and heat emitted by the micrometeorites upon impact with the cell. A counter and peak amplitude measuring device are used to indicate the number of particules which strike the surface of the cell as well as the kinetic energy of each of the particles.
Claims4
A method for investigating the nature of hypervelocity particles comprising the steps of:
- a. introducing a coverless solid-state photovoltaic cell into an environment containing said particles;
- b. measuring the peak amplitude of voltage pulses developed across the cell in response to the particles impacting thereon;
- and
- c. counting the number of pulses produced by the cell.
Apparatus for investigating the nature of hypervelocity particles comprising:
- a. a coverless, solid-state, two-terminal photovoltaic cell responsive to the impact thereon of a hypervelocity particle for generating a voltage pulse across the terminals proportional to the kinetic energy of the impacting particle.
- b. a counter responsive to the terminal voltage of the cell for counting the number of voltage pulses produced by the cell as a consequence of impacting particles;
- and
- c. peak amplitude measuring means responsive to the terminal voltage of the cell for measuring the peak value of the voltage pulses reduced by the cell as a consequence of impacting particles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.