Electric field measurements made in space

TL;DR

This paper discusses the development of electric field detectors for space, reviews key historical measurements, and suggests future improvements in measurement techniques.

Contribution

It introduces the operating principles of space electric field detectors and presents pioneering observational results in space physics.

Findings

First observation of parallel electric fields in the auroral region

First detection of time domain structures in space

Verification of symmetric magnetic field reconnection

Abstract

The operating principles of a DC and low frequency electric field detector are developed, after which, examples of earlier important electric field measurements are presented, including, the first observation of parallel electric fields in the auroral acceleration region, the first observation of time domain structures in space, the first experimental verification of symmetric magnetic field reconnection, the first observations of triggered ion acoustic waves, and oblique whistlers that directly accelerate electrons. Future possible improvements in the electric field measurement technique are described.