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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Obtaining 3D Chemical Maps by Energy Filtered Transmission Electron Microscopy Tomography
Published on: June 9, 2018
Tomographic extreme-ultraviolet spectrographs: TESS.
D M Cotton1, A Stephan, T Cook
1Center for Space Physics and the Department of Astronomy, Boston University, 725 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. dcotton@bu.edu
The Tomographic Extreme Ultraviolet SpectrographS (TESS) system on the TERRIERS satellite provides high-sensitivity measurements of ionospheric emissions. These instruments enable detailed atmospheric studies for improved space weather modeling.
Area of Science:
- Space Physics
- Atmospheric Science
- Remote Sensing
Background:
- The Earth's ionosphere is crucial for radio communication and navigation.
- Understanding ionospheric dynamics requires accurate measurements of atmospheric emissions.
- Previous instruments lacked the sensitivity and resolution for detailed tomographic analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce the Tomographic Extreme Ultraviolet SpectrographS (TESS) system.
- To detail the design and capabilities of the TESS instruments for the TERRIERS mission.
- To enable tomographic inversion of ionospheric EUV emissions.
Main Methods:
- Deployment of five spectrographs (four for nightglow, one for daytime).
- Utilizing microchannel-plate detectors with wedge-and-strip anode readouts.
- Calibrating instruments for high-sensitivity line-of-sight measurements (80 counts/s)/Rayleigh).
Main Results:
- TESS instruments designed for high sensitivity and spectral resolution (1-2 nm).
- Bandpass of 80-140 nm optimized for key oxygen emissions (135.6- and 91.1-nm).
- TERRIERS satellite successfully launched on May 18, 1999.
Conclusions:
- The TESS system provides unprecedented data for ionospheric research.
- Tomographic inversion of TESS data will yield detailed 3D ionospheric structures.
- This research advances our understanding of space weather phenomena.
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