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Using In-Situ Deposition of Metallic Thin Films on Mars to Monitor Atmospheric H20We describe the use of a novel sensor, designed to characterize the reactive nature of the Martian atmosphere, to also characterize the instantaneous abundance of atmospheric H,O. The sensor deposits, in situ, a thin silver film onto a sapphire substrate and monitors oxidation by measuring resistance of the Ag film during both deposition and subsequent oxidation [1,2]. . The evaporation source is placed in the center of a hollow, open-ended tube. On flash heating the source, evaporated metallic silver rapidly reacts with oxidizing gases in the tube, depositing on the tube walls as a resisitive Ag oxide film. Unoxidized silver deposits over the Ag oxides, once the oxidizing gases in the vicinity of the source have been consumed. Since the ends of the tube are open, atmospheric gases in the tube cause a time delay as the evaporated silver initially reacts with the available O2, and H2O; once oxidizing gases in the tube are significantly depleted, a silver film closes the chemiresistor circuit. In principle this operation mode provides a repeatable measure of the variable H2O abundance, since O2, levels are constant in the atmosphere. To explore the utility of the instrument as an H2O sensor, predict its behavior, and identify possible failure modes, we developed a numerical model of the instrument, and exercised it for Mars conditions. The model predicts the behavior of the electrical circuit, the temperature dependence of resistivity for each component, and the resultant Joule heating. The model balances Joule heating against radiation, sensible heat loss to ambient CO2, and, latent heat loss from sublimating Ag. The flux of Ag atoms from the source is tracked continuously. In the gas phase, the number density of Ag, O2, and H2O is calculated, along with their reaction rates on collision. The model suggests that Ag substantially depletes H2O only near the center of the tube. The model supports the hypothesis that the onset of high conductivity between the A u electrodes is a function of the H2O abundance in the ambient gas, but only to a limit; when H2O abundances are buffered at or above 240K (an H2O abundance that would not have occurred on Mars), metallic Ag never deposits in excess of Ago, and the circuit does not close. A significant difference in the Mars simulation is that the Ag source sublimates more quickly, primarily because of differences in sensible heat fluxes from the source. This allows subsequent heating of the W filament used to support the Ag source. Had the originally-designed experimental sequence been carried out on Mars, the filament might have melted, making subsequent investigations impossible.
Document ID
20050180817
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Zent, A. P.
Quinn, R. C.
Grunthaner, F. G.
Towner M.
Zanecki, J.
Ringrose, T.
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2005
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: European Geophysical Union Meeting
Location: Vienna
Country: Austria
Start Date: April 24, 2005
End Date: April 29, 2005
Sponsors: European Geophysical Society
Funding Number(s)
OTHER: 344-52-1Z
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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