Detector of hydrogen isotopes (ISIV)

Function

Measurements of hydrogen isotopes content in surface layer of a solid (provided that the content is more than 0.01 %).

Description

Content of hydrogen isotopes of a sample is measured by nondestructive technique of direct measurements in the surface layer. The method involves spectroscopy of recoil protons from elastic scattering of alpha-particles. The effective depth of the sample, within which the hydrogen is measured, is ~5–20 μm depending on the atomic weight of the sample, its density and the angle of incidence. This method of hydrogen measurement has been developed in IKI RAN. Currently available experimental model of a hydrogen spectrometer ISIV, designed for ground-based applications, consists of the detector block inherited from the Alpha-Proton-X-ray-Spectrometer developed for Mars-96, three 244Ñm sources with a total activity 12 mCi, and the associated electronics. Sources and detectors are arranged in geometry as shown in the Figure. This instrument can be used in future Mars missions.

Main characteristics

Measurable hydrogen isotopes content  ~0.01 wt. % H

Time of analysis                                                 ~100 min*

Area surface of sample                                        ~10 cm2

Effective depth                                                     ~5–20 mm

Power consumption                                                ~0.3 W

Mass                                                                          < 400 g

* The sensitivity is proportional to the spectrum accumulation time (~10 min for 0.01 wt. % H).

 




Geometry of the analyzer


Contacts

Laboratory for direct physical and chemical studies of planets
G. Dolnikov +7(495)333-25-66, ggd@iki.rssi.ru
B. Korchuganov +7(495)333-25-66
M. Gerasimov, Head of Laboratory +7(495)333-11-55, Mgerasim@iki.rssi.ru