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Ann. Geophys., 19, 1273-1288, 2001
www.ann-geophys.net/19/1273/2001/
© European Geosciences Union 2001

The Electron Drift Instrument on Cluster: overview of first results

G. Paschmann¹, J. M. Quinn², R. B. Torbert², H. Vaith¹, C. E. McIlwain³, G. Haerendel⁴, O. H. Bauer¹, T. Bauer¹, W. Baumjohann⁵, W. Fillius³, M. Förster¹, S. Frey¹, E. Georgescu¹, S. S. Kerr³, C. A. Kletzing⁶, H. Matsui², P. Puhl-Quinn¹, and E. C. Whipple^7
1Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, 85748 Garching, Germany
²University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
³University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
⁴International University Bremen, 28725 Bremen, Germany
⁵Space Research Institute, 8042 Graz, Austria
⁶University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
⁷University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA

Abstract. EDI measures the drift velocity of artificially injected electron beams. From this drift velocity, the perpendicular electric field and the local magnetic field gradients can be deduced when employing different electron energies. The technique requires the injection of two electron beams at right angles to the magnetic field and the search for those directions within the plane that return the beams to their associated detectors after one or more gyrations. The drift velocity is then derived from the directions of the two beams and/or from the difference in their times-of-flight, measured via amplitude-modulation and coding of the emitted electron beams and correlation with the signal from the returning electrons. After careful adjustment of the control parameters, the beam recognition algorithms, and the onboard magnetometer calibrations during the commissioning phase, EDI is providing excellent data over a wide range of conditions. In this paper, we present first results in a variety of regions ranging from the polar cap, across the magnetopause, and well into the magnetosheath.

Key words. Electron drift velocity (electric fields; plasma convection; instruments and techniques)

Full Article (PDF, 3453 KB)

Citation: Paschmann, G., Quinn, J. M., Torbert, R. B., Vaith, H., McIlwain, C. E., Haerendel, G., Bauer, O. H., Bauer, T., Baumjohann, W., Fillius, W., Förster, M., Frey, S., Georgescu, E., Kerr, S. S., Kletzing, C. A., Matsui, H., Puhl-Quinn, P., and Whipple, E. C.: The Electron Drift Instrument on Cluster: overview of first results, Ann. Geophys., 19, 1273-1288, 2001.   Bibtex   EndNote   Reference Manager