Planetary Geochemical Investigations Using Raman and Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

An integrated Raman spectroscopy and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument is a valuable geoanalytical tool for future planetary missions to Mars, Venus, and elsewhere. The ChemCam instrument operating on the Mars Curiosity rover includes a remote LIBS instrument. An integrated Rama...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied spectroscopy 2014-09, Vol.68 (9), p.925-936
Main Authors: Clegg, Samuel M., Wiens, Roger, Misra, Anupam K., Sharma, Shiv K., Lambert, James, Bender, Steven, Newell, Raymond, Nowak-Lovato, Kristy, Smrekar, Sue, Dyar, M. Darby, Maurice, Sylvestre
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:An integrated Raman spectroscopy and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument is a valuable geoanalytical tool for future planetary missions to Mars, Venus, and elsewhere. The ChemCam instrument operating on the Mars Curiosity rover includes a remote LIBS instrument. An integrated Raman-LIBS spectrometer (RLS) based on the ChemCam architecture could be used as a reconnaissance tool for other contact instruments as well as a primary science instrument capable of quantitative mineralogical and geochemical analyses. Replacing one of the ChemCam spectrometers with a miniature transmission spectrometer enables a Raman spectroscopy mineralogical analysis to be performed, complementing the LIBS chemical analysis while retaining an overall architecture resembling ChemCam. A prototype transmission spectrometer was used to record Raman spectra under both Martian and Venus conditions. Two different high-pressure and high-temperature cells were used to collect the Raman and LIBS spectra to simulate surface conditions on Venus. The resulting LIBS spectra were used to generate a limited partial least squares Venus calibration model for the major elements. These experiments demonstrate the utility and feasibility of a combined RLS instrument.
ISSN:0003-7028
1943-3530
DOI:10.1366/13-07386