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Laser Ablation Mass Spectrometer (LAMS) as a Standoff Analyzer in Space Missions for Airless BodiesA laser ablation mass spectrometer (LAMS) based on a time-of-flight (TOF) analyzer with adjustable drift length is proposed as a standoff elemental composition sensor for space missions to airless bodies. It is found that the use of a retarding potential analyzer in combination with a two-stage reflectron enables LAMS to be operated at variable drift length. For field-free drift lengths between 33 cm to 100 cm, at least unit mass resolution can be maintained solely by adjustment of internal voltages, and without resorting to drastic reductions in sensitivity. Therefore, LAMS should be able to be mounted on a robotic arm and analyze samples at standoff distances of up to several tens of cm, permitting high operational flexibility and wide area coverage of heterogeneous regolith on airless bodies.
Document ID
20120017379
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Li, X. (Maryland Univ. Baltimore County Baltimore, MD, United States)
Brinckerhoff, W. B. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Managadze, G. G. (Academy of Sciences (Russia) Moscow, Russian Federation)
Pugel, D. E. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Corrigan, C. M. (National Museum of Natural History Washington, DC, United States)
Doty, J. H. (Academy of Sciences (Russia) Moscow, Russian Federation)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
October 18, 2012
Subject Category
Instrumentation And Photography
Report/Patent Number
GSFC.JA.6690.2012
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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