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Stable Isotope Laser Spectrometer for Exploration of MarsOn Earth, measurements of the ratios of stable carbon isotopes have providet much information about geological and biological processes. For example, fractionation of carbon occur in biotic processes and the retention of a distinctive 2-4% contrast in C-13/C-12 between organic carbon and carbonates in rocks as old as 3.8 billion years constitutes some of the firmest evidence for the antiquity of life on the Earth. We have developed a prototype tunable diode laser spectrometer which demonstrates the feasibility of making accurate in situ isotopic ratio measurements on Mars. This miniaturized instrument, with an optical path length of 10 cm should be capable of making accurate C-13/C-12 and N-15/N-14 measurements. Gas samples for measurement are to be produced by pyrolysis using soil samples as small as 50 mg. Measurements of C-13/C-12, O-18/O-16 and N-15/N-14 have been made to a precision of better than 0.1%, and various other isotopes are feasible. This laser technique, which relies on the extremely narrow emission linewidth of tunable diode lasers (less than 0.001/ cm),has favorable features in comparison to mass spectrometry, the standard method of accurate isotopic ratio measurement. The miniature instrument could be ready to deploy c 2003 or other Mars lander missions.
Document ID
20000004925
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Sauke, Todd B.
(Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Inst. Moffett Field, CA United States)
Becker, Joseph F.
(San Jose State Univ. CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1998
Publication Information
Publication: Planetary and Space Science
Publisher: Pergamon
Volume: 46
Issue: 7-Jun
ISSN: 0032-0633
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCC2-929
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCC2565
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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