Quadrant photometer for satellite-borne auroral and optical measurements

A multichannel photometer has been developed for space applications requiring low weight and power, no moving parts, and high sensitivity. The photocathode of a special phototube is divided into four electrically and optically distinct quadrants. The system operates without degradation after exposure to full sunlight, and has a sensitivity down to the order of rayleighs (10(6) photons cm(-2) sec(-1)). The complete photometer, including high voltage and control circuitry and signal conditioning with A/D converter and three lenses and interference filters, has a weight of 1.7 kg, power consumption of less than 0.3 W, and switching speeds up to 30 cycles/sec. These are to be compared with a previous multichannel photometer with a moving filter wheel, whose corresponding characteristics were 9 kg, 7-9 W, and 0.1 cycles/sec.