A Proton Sensor for Energies From 2 to 20 MeV

CNES and ONERA have developed a radiation monitor Influence sur les Composants Avancés des Radiations de l'Espace-Nouvelle Génération (ICARE-NG) to measure the protons and electrons in radiation belts. This instrument is able to measure a wide range of energy for protons and electrons, but no measurements of few MeV protons are performed. The objective of this article is to extend the capabilities of this radiation monitor by adding a low-energy proton sensor. In this article, the design of a sensor for low-energy protons compatible with the ICARE-NG instrument is presented. Response functions for protons and electrons of the low-energy proton sensor are calculated using Monte Carlo simulations. The calculation of predicted count rates of particles is performed. The manufacturing of the instrument as well as tests is discussed.