Laser Mass Spectrometry in Planetary Science

Würz, Peter; Whitby, J. A.; Managadze, G. G.; Hirahara, M.; Miyoshi, Yoshizumi; Terada, Naoki; Mukai, T.; Shinohara, I.

doi:10.1063/1.3169308

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The instrument is light-weight and has a low power consumption [5]. When operated on a lander or rover on a planetary surface, LMS could contribute eminently to the exploration of the planetary surface [4,31,52] and subsurface [26]. Reference mineralogical composition of USGS SCo-l. in vol% [46].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Laser ionization ablation mass spectrometry (LIMS) is a well-established and widely used technique in numerous fields of research [2]. Fast progress in miniaturization of electronic devices and lasers to the point of micro-chip lasers allowed the development of very small and light weight LIMS instruments applicable for space research [3,4]. Yet, the operation of laser ablation/ionization technique in space still is in its infancy and operation inflight still has to be demonstrated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Quantitative measurement of the chemical composition of geological standards with a miniature laser ablation/ionization mass spectrometer designed forin situapplication in space research

Neuland

Grimaudo

Mezger

et al. 2016

Meas. Sci. Technol.

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A key interest of planetary space missions is the quantitative determination of the chemical composition of the planetary surface material. The chemical composition of surface material (minerals, rocks, soils) yields fundamental information that can be used to answer key scientific questions about the formation and evolution of the planetary body in particular and the Solar System in general. We present a miniature time-of-flight type laser ablation/ionization mass spectrometer (LMS) and demonstrate its capability in measuring the elemental and mineralogical composition of planetary surface samples quantitatively by using a femtosecond laser for ablation/ionization. The small size and weight of the LMS make it a remarkable tool for in situ chemical composition measurements in space research, convenient for operation on a lander or rover exploring a planetary surface. In the laboratory, we measured the chemical composition of four geological standard reference samples USGS AGV-2 Andesite, USGS SCo-l Cody Shale, NIST 97b Flint Clay and USGS QLO-1 Quartz Latite with LMS. These standard samples are used to determine the sensitivity factors of the instrument. One important result is that all sensitivity factors are close to 1. Additionally, it is observed that the sensitivity factor of an element depends on its electron configuration, hence on the electron work function and the elemental group in agreement with existing theory. Furthermore, the conformity of the sensitivity factors is supported by mineralogical analyses of the USGS SCo-l and the NIST 97b samples. With the four different reference samples, the consistency of the calibration factors can be demonstrated, which constitutes the fundamental basis for a standard-less measurement-technique for in situ quantitative chemical composition measurements on planetary surface.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantitative measurement of the chemical composition of geological standards with a miniature laser ablation/ionization mass spectrometer designed forin situapplication in space research

Neuland

Grimaudo

Mezger

et al. 2016

Meas. Sci. Technol.

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“…Very compact laser ionization TOF mass spectrometers have been constructed for planetary missions 49 and environmental analysis. 50 Resolving power of the instruments was around 250, which is sufficient for distinguishing isotopic peaks.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel approach to constructing laser ionization elemental time-of-flight mass spectrometer

Карпов

Milyaeva

Сысоев

2017

Eur J Mass Spectrom (Chichester)

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The main advantages of laser sampling are associated with following features: sample preparations as well as consumables are not needed, low risk of sample contamination, good spatial resolution. In mass spectrometry, high laser irradiance can be used for both ablation and ionization processes. The method is especially profitable in time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A new principle of constructing laser ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer based on wedge-shaped ion mirrors and the absence of electrostatic ion acceleration before mass analysis is discussed. Among advantages of the analyzer there are ability to provide temporal focusing of ions in a wide energy range (±20%), compactness of the analyzer, and minimization of the requirements for power supplies. The approach is expected to be profitable for standardless elemental analysis of solid samples, which should be possible at laser irradiation power density more than 3 × 10W/cm that ensures complete ionization of all elements in a laser plasma. The analytical signal of each element is formed as the sum of the signals for all charge states and the energy scan of the mass spectra is provided.

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A miniature mass analyser for in-situ elemental analysis of planetary material–performance studies

et al. 2010

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The performance of a laser ablation mass analyser designed for in-situ exploration of the chemical composition of planetary surfaces has been investigated. The instrument measures the elemental and isotopic composition of raw solid materials with high spatial resolution. The initial studies were performed on NIST standard materials using IR laser irradiance (< 1 GW cm(-2)) at which a high temporal stability of ion formation and sufficiently low sample consumption was achieved. Measurements of highly averaged spectra could be performed with typical mass resolution of m/Δm ≈ 600 in an effective dynamic range spanning seven decades. Sensitive detection of several trace elements can be achieved at the ~ ppm level and lower. The isotopic composition is usually reproduced with 1% accuracy, implying good performance of the instrument for quantitative analysis of the isotopic fractionation effects caused by natural processes. Using the IR laser, significant elemental fractionation effects were observed for light elements and elements with a high ionization potential. Several diatomic clusters of major and minor elements could also be measured, and sometimes these interfere with the detection of trace elements at the same nominal mass. The potential of the mass analyser for application to sensitive detection of elements and their isotopes in realistic samples is exemplified by measurements of minerals. The high resolution and large dynamic range of the spectra makes detection limits of ~100 ppb possible.

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Laser Mass Spectrometry in Planetary Science

Cited by 8 publications

References 13 publications

Quantitative measurement of the chemical composition of geological standards with a miniature laser ablation/ionization mass spectrometer designed forin situapplication in space research

Quantitative measurement of the chemical composition of geological standards with a miniature laser ablation/ionization mass spectrometer designed forin situapplication in space research

Novel approach to constructing laser ionization elemental time-of-flight mass spectrometer

A miniature mass analyser for in-situ elemental analysis of planetary material–performance studies

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