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

• Published in: Experimental astronomy 2013-08, Vol.36 (1-2), p.175-193
• Main Authors: Wolters, S. D., Hagene, J. K., Sund, A. T., Bohman, A., Guthery, W., Sund, B. T., Hagermann, A., Tomkinson, T., Romstedt, J., Morgan, G. H., Grady, M. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Astronomy; Chemistry and Earth Sciences; Computer Science; Observations and Techniques; Original Article; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Statistics for Engineering
• ISSN: 0922-6435; 1572-9508
• DOI: 10.1007/s10686-012-9328-8

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 26 mm 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 μm with a resolution Δ λ / λ = 0.015. This allows detection of silicates and carbonates, including an indication of the presence of water (ice). Spectra of clusters of grains