Design, construction, and laboratory calibration of the Angle Resolving Energy Analyzer (AREA): a 'top-hat' instrument for auroral research

The design philosophy, construction, and laboratory evaluation of the AREA instrument for space plasma measurement, that is generically a top-hat electrostatic analyzer, are reported. The instrument accepts particles from eleven 16 degrees azimuth sectors equally spaced around 360 degrees in the acceptance plane. Laboratory measurements of energy resolution and angular responses demonstrate sharp focusing in azimuth, satisfactory energy resolution, and a large geometric factor. These measurements compare favorably with computer simulations of the same instrument reported previously.<
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