Computer Science – Performance
Scientific paper
Jul 2000
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000came.workr..47b&link_type=abstract
Concepts and Approaches for Mars Exploration, p. 47
Computer Science
Performance
Mars Exploration, Time Of Flight Spectrometers, Mass Spectrometers, In Situ Measurement, Laser Spectrometers, Sampling, Chemical Analysis, Microanalysis
Scientific paper
The in-depth landed exploration of Mars will require increasingly sophisticated robotic analytical tools for both in situ composition science [1] and reconnaissance for sample return [2]. Beyond dust, rock surfaces, and topsoil, samples must be accessed within rocks and ice, well below surface soil, and possibly in elevated deposit layers. A range of spatial scales will be studied, and for the most information-rich microscopic analyses, samples must be acquired, prepared, and positioned with high precision. In some cases samples must also be brought into a vacuum chamber. After expending such resources, it will be important to apply techniques that provide a wide range of information about the samples. Microscopy, mineralogy, and molecular/organic, elemental, and isotopic analyses are all needed, at a minimum, to begin to address the in situ goals at Mars. These techniques must work as an efficient suite to provide layers of data, each layer helping to determine if further analysis on a given sample is desired. In the spirit of broad-band and efficient data collection, we are developing miniature laser time-of-flight mass spectrometers (TOF-MS) for elemental, isotopic, and molecular/organic microanalysis of unprepared solid samples. Laser TOF-MS uses a pulsed laser to volatilize and ionize material from a small region on the sample. The laser energy and focus can be adjusted for atomic and molecular content, sampling area, and depth. Ions travel through the instrument and are detected at a sequence of times proportional to the square root of their mass-to- charge ratios. Thus, each laser pulse produces a complete mass spectrum (in less than 50 microseconds). These instruments can now be significantly miniaturized (potentially to the size of a soda can) without a loss in performance. This effort is reviewed here with an emphasis on applications to Mars exploration.
Brinckerhoff William B.
Cornish T. J.
No associations
LandOfFree
Elemental, Isotopic, and Organic Analysis on Mars with Laser TOF-MS does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Elemental, Isotopic, and Organic Analysis on Mars with Laser TOF-MS, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Elemental, Isotopic, and Organic Analysis on Mars with Laser TOF-MS will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1718439