A remote laser mass spectrometer for lunar resource assessment

Details A remote laser mass spectrometer for lunar resource assessment A remote laser mass spectrometer for lunar resource assessment

Sep 1992

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1992ntlr.work...19d&link_type=abstract

In Lunar and Planetary Inst., Joint Workshop on New Technologies for Lunar Resource Assessment p 19-20 (SEE N93-17233 05-91)

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Applications

Laser Spectrometers, Lunar Composition, Lunar Resources, Lunar Surface, Mass Spectrometers, Surface Ionization, Chemical Analysis, Dense Plasmas, Mass Spectroscopy, Q Switched Lasers, Technology Utilization, Time Of Flight Spectrometers

Scientific paper

The use of lasers as a source of excitation for surface mass spectroscopy has been investigated for some time. Since the laser can be focused to a small spot with intensity, it can vaporize and accelerate atoms of material. Using this phenomenon with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer allows a surface elemental mass analysis of a small region with each laser pulse. While the technique has been well developed for Earth applications, space applications are less developed. NASA Langley recently began a research program to investigate the use of a laser to create ions from the lunar surface and to analyze the ions at an orbiting spacecraft. A multijoule, Q-switched Nd:YAG laser would be focused to a small spot on the lunar surface, creating a dense plasma. This plasma would eject high-energy ions, as well as neutrals, electrons, and photons. An experiment is being set up to determine the characteristics of such a laser mass spectrometer at long flight distances. This experiment will determine the character of a future flight instrument for lunar resource assessment.

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