Vacuum Chamber Design for RATEX-J Radiation Testing

Abstract: Calibration of particle detectors for space plasma sensors is an essential part of instrument development process. The Jovian plasma Dynamics and Composition analyzer (JDC) is one of the two instruments built by the Swedish Institute of Space Physics, for the Europen Space Agency’s JUICE (JUpiter ICy moon Explorer) mission. RATEX-J (RAdiation Test EXperiment for JUICE) is a project aiming to perform radiation tests to characterize the sensors and test the anti-coincidence system of JDC. Particle detectors operate in high quality vacuum only, hence a vacuum system is imperative for these tests.This report focuses on the vacuum system designed for the RATEX-J experiment. After the requirements were established, a DN 160 ISO-K four way cross was selected as a vacuum tank, then each wall was designed to accommodate the needed appliances and connectors. Finally a support structure was built to meet mobility and stability requirements.The system performance during the first radiation campaign was satisfactory. After concluding the test results, a few alterations were requested to adapt the system for the next test session.Finally a larger vacuum system and a motorized manipulator design is discussed, which are planned for radiation test of the complete JDC instrument.