ATR-spectroscopy aboard landers MATROS

ATR-spectroscopy aboard landers MATROS

Function

Registration of Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) spectrum of a sample, contacting with the ATR-prism. The goals:

studies of fine-grain material after landing: surface dust, precipitating atmospheric aerosols, samples taken by a robotic arm (or a drill);
studies of aerosols during descend (or flight aboard a balloon) in an atmosphere;
direct detection of living cells (microorganisms) by dynamics of characteristic IR-bands.

Description

The Instrument includes miniature Fourier-spectrometer and IR-source, changeable or cleanable ATR-prisms.

The design is based on the experience in creating flight Fourier-spectrometers (FS-1/4, PFS) and in laboratory ATR-studies of minerals and biologic objects.

The ATR-technique was not used before in planetary exploration experiments and it’s development is aimed for future projects for Mars exploration.

Main characteristics

Spectral range 3–25 μm

Spectral resolution 3 cm^–1

Mass 2 kg

Power consumption 10 W

ATR-spectra of specified mineral powders

The bacteria growth on the ATR-prism progressively deepens the Amide-2 protein band

Cooperation

GEOKHI RAN, ISAN, Biology department of MSU.

Contacts

A.V. Grigoriev +7(495)333-44-55, grirn@irn.iki.rssi.ru