Abstract
We discuss fluorescence as a method to detect polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other organic molecules, as well as minerals on the surface of Mars. We present an instrument design that is adapted from the ChemCam instrument which is currently on the Mars Science Lander Rover Curiosity and thus most of the primary components are currently flight qualified for Mars surface operations, significantly reducing development costs. The major change compared to ChemCam is the frequency multipliers of the 1064 nm laser to wavelengths suitable for fluorescence excitation (266 nm, 355 nm, and 532 nm). We present fluorescence spectrum for a variety of organics and minerals relevant to the surface of Mars. Preliminary results show minerals already known on Mars, such as perchlorate, fluoresce strongest when excited by 355 nm. Also we demonstrate that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as those present in Martian meteorites, are highly fluorescent at wavelengths in the ultraviolet (266 nm, 355 nm), but not as much in the visible (532 nm). We conclude that fluorescence can be an important method for Mars applications and standoff detection of organics and minerals. The instrument approach described in this paper builds on existing hardware and offers high scientific return for minimal cost for future missions.
Highlights
A practical difficulty with organic and biological analysis on Mars missions is getting to, and collecting, the sample
The survey of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and mineral fluorescence performed in this study illustrates that the 1064 nm laser available in the flight ready ChemCam instrument modified with the addition of the three frequency multipliers (266 nm, 355 nm, 532 nm) and band pass filters would provide an excellent site survey tool in near real time based on fluorescence measurements
We have developed a conceptual design for a fluorescencebased instrument for stand-off detection of organics on Mars
Summary
A practical difficulty with organic and biological analysis on Mars missions is getting to, and collecting, the sample. Rovers remotely operated from Earth can take many days to drive to a site and to collect a sample. For this reason there is considerable interest in selection of target samples – both rock and dirt - from a distance of several meters. The current method for non-contact detection on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is ChemCam. ChemCam employs Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectrometer (LIBS) and can accomplish elemental chemical determination [1]. ChemCam consists of two instruments: 1) a remote micro-imager (RMI) capable of mm resolution from meters away and 2) a laser-induced breakdown spectrograph (LIBS) capable of determining certain elemental concentrations as low as 10 ppm [1].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
