Course contents

The course consists of lectures, student presentations and ‘hands on’ projects.

The lectures cover both theoretical foundations and practical aspects of some instruments and experimental methods, including particle and field measurements on space probes, and ground based optical and radar measurements. The student presentations will require participants to work with original papers (typically several of them) in order to prepare a seminar for the colleagues. A number of relevant topics are suggested, with a reference list. ‘Hands on’ activities involve working with some hardware, software and data.

Intended learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to give the students a working knowledge of various experimental techniques and measurement methods used in the ground based and satellite studies in space plasma physics. The focus is on getting both an understanding of the underlying physics and the working knowledge of the typical ranges of parameters involved, methods’ performance and technical limitations.

After completing the course, a participant should be able to

• explain the physical operation principles of experimental techniques most commonly used in space plasma physics
• interpret the typical graphical presentation of the results of various measurements, such as satellite particle and field data, ground based magnetic, optical and radar observations; know coordinate systems used in studies of the near earth space
• describe in general terms technical implementation of various measurement methods
• identify the major limitations of the methods, provide order of magnitude estimate of performance (such as sensitivity, uncertainty, integration time etc) and typical range of measured quantities
• locate information about, critically analyze and make an oral presentation on a subject of relevance to the course
• carry out simple tasks including acquisition and/or analysis of data using commercial software (such as LabView, IDL, Matlab, etc)

Course Disposition

No information inserted

Specific prerequisites

Electromagnetic theory, e.g. EI1200 or equivalent.

Documented proficiency in English corresponding to English A.

Recommended prerequisites

Electromagnetic theory (required), Plasma Physics(recommended), Space Physics (recommended).

For single course students: documented proficiency in English B or equivalent.

Equipment

No information inserted

Literature

AGU-monografer: ‘Measurement techniques in Space Plasmas’, föreläsningsanteckningar, originalartiklar.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Grading scale

P, F

Examination

• TEN1 - Examination, 6,0 hp, betygsskala: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Other requirements for final grade

Written examination.

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

No information inserted

Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

No information inserted

Examiner

Mykola Ivchenko

Ethical approach

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Course web

Further information about the course can be found on the Course web at the link below. Information on the Course web will later be moved to this site.

Offered by

EECS/Electrical Engineering

Main field of study

Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Physics

Education cycle

Second cycle

Add-on studies

No information inserted

Contact

Nickolay Ivchenko

Supplementary information

Replaces 2A1902