WatSen: Design and testing of a prototype mid-IR spectrometer and microscope package for Mars exploration

We have designed and built a compact breadboard prototype instrument called WatSen: a combined ATR mid-IR spectrometer, fixed-focus microscope, and humidity sensor. The instrument package is enclosed in a rugged cylindrical casing only 26mm in diameter. The functionality, reliability and performance...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:arXiv.org 2013-03
Main Authors: Wolters, Stephen D, Hagene, Jon K, Sund, Arnt T, Bohman, Axel, Guthery, William, Sund, Bjornar T, Hagermann, Axel, Tomkinson, Tim, Romstedt, Jens, Morgan, Geraint H, Grady, Monica M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Carbonates
Diamonds
Grains
Infrared spectroscopy
Mars
Mars exploration
Mars surface
Silicates
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:We have designed and built a compact breadboard prototype instrument called WatSen: a combined ATR mid-IR spectrometer, fixed-focus microscope, and humidity sensor. The instrument package is enclosed in a rugged cylindrical casing only 26mm in diameter. The functionality, reliability and performance of the instrument was tested in an environment chamber set up to resemble martian surface conditions. The effective wavelength range of the spectrometer is 6.2 - 10.3 micron with a resolution delta-wavelength/wavelength = 0.015. This allows detection of silicates and carbonates, including an indication of the presence of water (ice). Spectra of clusters of grains < 1mm across were acquired that are comparable with spectra of the same material obtained using a commercial system. The microscope focuses through the diamond ATR crystal. Colour images of the grains being spectroscopically analysed are obtainable with a resolution of ~ 20 micron.
ISSN:2331-8422
DOI:10.48550/arxiv.1303.3020