Simulation and Experimental Validation of Charge-driven Extreme Ultraviolet Photoelectric Effect

The test masses of the inertial sensor is the core of the precision gravity measurement system. The surface of test masses accumulates charges due to continuous injection of high-energy particles from space, which generates stray noise under the action of the internal electromagnetic field of the sensor and affects the precision gravity measurement results. According to the principle of photoelectric effect, use UV LED to generate extreme ultraviolet light to irradiate the electrodes of an inertial sensor and the surface of the test masses, and applying an appropriate electric field between the electrodes, it is possible to change the charge amount of the test masses without external forces and under non-contact conditions. Based on the simplified electrode model of the parallel plate capacitor, this paper carried out theoretical modeling and simulation of the extreme ultraviolet charge driving process. Based on this, a set of charge driving verification test system was designed and constructed, and experiments were carried out on the effects of light power and bias voltage on the charging and discharging rates and AC charge driving. The experiment proved that the charge-discharge rate is proportional to the extreme ultraviolet light power, and its quantum yield changes with the electric field strength between the plates. Ultimately, a stable control of the test masses discharge rate between 0.31 pC⋅s^–1 and 0.76 pC⋅s^–1 and charge rate between –0.05 pC⋅s^–1 and –0.17 pC⋅s^–1 can be achieved. The theoretical model of charge-discharge rate proposed in this article for the test masses is consistent with the results of ground experiments, which can strongly support the development of charge management and control systems.