Instrument concept of a single channel dust trajectory detector

Charged dust particles in space can be detected by in situ sensors using charge induction. Such trajectory sensors are normally based on many grid or wire electrodes connected to individual charge sensitive amplifiers. In this article we describe a new approach to measure the trajectory of a charged dust particle by a single charge sensitive amplifier. The signal shape is used to calculate particle speed, mass and trajectory. The detector employs two half-circular grid electrodes, and the electrodes are connected to the differential input stage of an amplifier. Simulations using the Coulomb 9.0 software package were performed in order to determine the expected signal shapes depending on the particle parameters (entry location and incident angles). The simulated charge signals show, that the chosen measurement concept is an efficient method for low-power and low-mass dust trajectory sensors.