The PLanetary extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer Project

Abstract

Spectroscopic observations in the vacuum (VUV, 115-200 nm) and extreme ultraviolet (EUV, 40-115 nm) is of fundamental importance in solar physics, in the physics of interstellar medium, in the study of planetary exospheres. The PLUS project is focused on the development of a high performance spectrograph for the observations of planetary exospheres in the 55-200 nm range. The instrument layout is based on a two channels (VUV/EUV) design. It will be characterized by improved detection limit, shorter observations integration time and unprecedented performance in terms of dynamic range. Such characteristics will be obtained thanks to the development and combination of two key technologies: high efficiency optical components optimized for each channel and high resolution/dynamic range solar blind photon counting detector. The photon counting detector will be based on a Micro-Channel Plate coupled with ROIC ASIC read out system.