We have designed and constructed a Borehole X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRFS) as part of the Mars Subsurface Access program [1]. It can be used to determine the composition of the Mars regolith at various depths by insertion into a pre-drilled borehole. The primary requirements and performance metrics for the instrument are to obtain parts-per-million (ppm) lower limits of detection over a wide range of elements in the periodic table (Magnesium to Lead). Power consumption during data collection was also measured. The prototype instrument is complete and preliminary testing has been performed. Terrestrial soil Standard Reference Materials were used as the test samples. Detection limits were about 10 weight ppm for most elements, with light elements being higher, up to 1.4 weight percent for magnesium. Power consumption (excluding ground support components) was 12 watts.
Performance of a Borehole X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer for Planetary Exploration
2008-03-01
823831 byte
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
The mass spectrometer for planetary exploration (MASPEX)
IEEE | 2016
|Miniaturisation of imaging spectrometer for planetary exploration
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2004
|