Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Dec 2005
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2005agufm.p41a0916s&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2005, abstract #P41A-0916
Mathematics
Logic
5410 Composition (1060, 3672), 5419 Hydrology And Fluvial Processes, 5470 Surface Materials And Properties, 5494 Instruments And Techniques, 6225 Mars
Scientific paper
Introduction: We are attempting to miniaturize and shock-harden an electrospray ionization rotating field mass spectrometer (ESI-RFMS) for high precision measurements of aqueous geochemistry on Mars. The design is based on a mass spectrometer system currently being used in situ in deep ocean applications (McMurtry & Smith, 2001). It has the strengths of being small, low power, low mass, requires no precision machining, and is tolerant of moderate vacuum. A prototype RFMS instrument has been shock tested to 1200 without degrading performance. ESI-RFMS is a soft-ionization technique, allowing for the measurement of molecules with large masses, and thus is an attractive experimental methodology for aqueous geochemical analysis enabling in situ measurements of potential chemical, isotopic, and biologic signatures. For example, ESI-RFMS could determine the geochemistry and origin of near-surface deposits of ice, such as those in the northern lowlands of Mars. In addition, ESI-RFMS could examine the record of aqueous alteration contained in the compositions and mineralogy of surface materials and in the compositions of liquid water and ice on Mars. Furthermore, ESI-RFMS analyses of water could detect heavy organic compounds commonly associated with life. Results: Work to date has focused on the development of a vacuum ESI-RFMS to study heavy compounds in water directly. The ESI-RFMS design concept has now been tested under a wide variety of vacuum conditions and sample delivery pressures, as well as under a wide range of electrical conditions and sample chemistries. We have also tested the RFMS mass filter using an off-the-shelf electron impact (EI) ionizer, which has proved the new RFMS concepts of mass filtering and ion beam control, as well as significant advances in noise reduction. A critical issue that evolved from this work is the importance of a well-focused beam of ions for RFMS mass filters versus other similar but less capable spectrometers like the standard quadrupole. Our initial tests show that both the ESI and EI ionizers significantly deviate from a beam, which we have begun to address using standard techniques such as Einzel lenses and mesh apertures. Reference: McMurtry & Smith (2001) Proceed. Oceans 2001, Marine Tech. Soc. & IEEE, Honolulu, p. 259-63.
Anderson Fredrik
French Linda
McMurtry G.
Pilger E.
Stockstill K.
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