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    • Raman Laser Spectrometer for ExoMars

    Paper number

    IAC-12,A3,3C,2,x16206

    Author

    Ms. Eva Diaz, Centro de Astrobiologia (INTA), Spain

    Coauthor

    Mr. Carlos Pérez, INTA - Centro de Astrobiologia, Spain

    Coauthor

    Mr. Andoni G. Moral, National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA), Spain

    Coauthor

    Mr. Carlos Diaz, Centro de Astrobiologia (INTA), Spain

    Coauthor

    Mrs. Maria del Rosario Canchal, Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial (INTA), Spain

    Coauthor

    Dr. Gonzalo Ramos, Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial (INTA), Spain

    Coauthor

    Prof. Fernando Rull, Spain

    Year

    2012

    Abstract
    The Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS) is one of the Pasteur Payload instruments, within the ESA’s Aurora Exploration Programme, ExoMars mission.

Purpose: Tw$\sigma$o missions are currently under evaluation within the ExoMars programme: one consisting of an Orbiter plus probably an Entry, Descent and Landing Demonstrator (in 2016) and the other in 2018, with a Rover with the scientific payload.

ExoMars Rover would carry a drill and a suite of instruments dedicated to exobiology and geochemistry research.
ExoMars 2018 main European Scientific objective is “Searching for evidence of past and present life on Mars “, which would be assessed by Pasteur Payload. Particularly, the RLS scientific objectives within ExoMars Mission are as follows:

	identify organic compound and search for life
	identify the mineral products and indicators of biologic activities
	characterize mineral phases produced by water-related processes
	characterize igneous minerals and their alteration products
	characterise water/geochemical environment as a function of depth in the shallow subsurface

Methodology: Raman Spectroscopy is used to analyse the vibrational modes of a substance either in the solid, liquid or gas state. It relies on the inelastic scattering (Raman Scattering) of monochromatic light produced by atoms and molecules. The shift in energy appears as a spectral distribution and therefore provides an unique fingerprint by which the substances can be identified and structurally analyzed.

The RLS is being developed by an European Consortium composed by Spanish, French, German and UK partners. It will perform Raman spectroscopy on crushed powdered samples inside the Rover’s Analytical Laboratory Drawer.

Results: RLS expected main characteristics are as follows:

	Laser excitation wavelength: 532 nm
	Irradiance on sample: 0.6 – 1.2 kW/cm2
	Spectral range: 150-3800cm-1
	Spectral resolution: 6 cm-1 lower spectral wavenumbers; 8 cm-1 long spectral wavenumbers
	Spectral accuracy: < 1 cm-1
	Spot size: 50 microns

Currently, development of extended Phase B is on going and it is expected to hold a delta-PDR by the end of 2012. During this phase, instrument performances are being evaluated by means of simulation tools and development of an instrument prototype.

Conclusions: The RLS is a key tool to achieve ExoMars objectives and its current technological development provides a promising future for being used on other planetary missions as a non destructive analysis technique. It is as well under study its implementation as part of Marco Polo mission and as part of a ESA Lunar Lander mission.
    Abstract document

    IAC-12,A3,3C,2,x16206.brief.pdf

    Manuscript document

    IAC-12,A3,3C,2,x16206.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

    To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.