In Situ identification of mineral resources with an X-ray-optical "Hand-Lens" instrument

Details In Situ identification of mineral resources with an X-ray-optical "Hand-Lens" instrument In Situ identification of mineral resources with an X-ray-optical "Hand-Lens" instrument

Jan 1997

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997isr2.meet...27m&link_type=abstract

In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU II) Technical Interchange Meeting, p. 27

Physics

Optics

In Situ Measurement, Extraterrestrial Resources, Mineral Deposits, Lattice Parameters, Lenses, X Ray Imagery, X Ray Optics, Planetary Surfaces, X Ray Diffraction, X Ray Fluorescence, Geological Surveys, Robot Arms, Atomic Structure

Scientific paper

The recognition of material resources on a planetary surface requires exploration strategies not dissimilar to those employed by early field geologists who searched for ore deposits primarily from surface clues. In order to determine the location of mineral ores or other materials, it will be necessary to characterize host terranes at regional or subregional scales. This requires geographically broad surveys in which statistically significant numbers of samples are rapidly scanned from a roving platform. To enable broad-scale, yet power-conservative planetary-surface exploration, we are developing an instrument that combines x-ray diffractometry (XRD), x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), and optical capabilities; the instrument can be deployed at the end of a rover's robotic arm, without the need for sample capture or preparation. The instrument provides XRD data for identification of mineral species and lithological types; diffractometry of minerals is conducted by ascertaining the characteristic lattice parameters or "d-spacings" of mineral compounds. D-spacings of 1.4 to 25 angstroms can be determined to include the large molecular structures of hydrated minerals such as clays. The XRF data will identify elements ranging from carbon (Atomic Number = 6) to elements as heavy as barium (Atomic Number = 56).

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