Speaker
Description
The High Energy Particle Spectrometer (HEPS) belongs to the in-situ instrument suite developed for the ESA Lagrange mission. HEPS is designed for spectroscopic measurements of charged particles from the Solar Energetic Particle events. Its dynamic range is optimized for operating conditions from typical to extreme solar events. The instrument measures electrons, protons, and heavy ions in extended ranges of particle energies and their incoming angles. Angular distributions of incoming particles are measured with dedicated direction sensitive sensors. Detection systems devoted for measurements of electrons and protons use Si and SiC sensors and previously developed readouts. The heavy-ion detector (HIT) is a novel design utilizing telescope-arranged scintillators coupled to the SiPMs. HIT electronics is equipped with a dedicated ASIC optimized for fast signal processing. A prototype model of HIT detector and electronics was used to verify its energy range and ion identification requirements. Several heavy ion test campaigns were carried out at two facilities confirming HIT performance. Intensive simulations and optimization of instrument responses were conducted in parallel. We will present experimental data from the heavy ion tests and analyze energy range and resolution aspects as well as ion separation features. Monte Carlo simulations will be discussed for particle responses as well as instrument performance during extreme solar events with very large particle fluxes. Implications on further optimization and its final design of HEPS will be presented.
