The laser ablation ion funnel: Sampling for in situ mass spectrometry on Mars
2011; Elsevier BV; Volume: 59; Issue: 5-6 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/j.pss.2011.01.004
ISSN1873-5088
AutoresP. V. Johnson, Robert Hodyss, Keqi Tang, W. B. Brinckerhoff, Richard Smith,
Tópico(s)Laser-induced spectroscopy and plasma
ResumoA considerable investment has been made by NASA and other space agencies to develop instrumentation suitable for in situ analytical investigation of extra terrestrial bodies including various mass spectrometers (time-of-flight, quadrupole ion trap, quadrupole mass filters, etc.). However, the front-end sample handling that is needed to collect and prepare samples for interrogation by such instrumentation remains underdeveloped. Here we describe a novel approach tailored to the exploration of Mars where ions are created in the ambient atmosphere via laser ablation and then efficiently transported into a mass spectrometer for in situ analysis using an electrodynamic ion funnel. This concept would enable elemental and isotopic analysis of geological samples with the analysis of desorbed organic material a possibility as well. Such an instrument would be suitable for inclusion on all potential missions currently being considered such as the Mid-Range Rover, the Astrobiology Field Laboratory, and Mars Sample Return (i.e., as a sample pre-selection triage instrument), among others.
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