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Atmospheric Electron-Induced X-Ray Spectrometer (AEXS) DevelopmentThis paper describes the progress in the development of the so-called Atmospheric Electron X-ray Spectrometer (AEXS) instrument in our laboratory at JPL. The AEXS is a novel miniature instrument concept based on the excitation of characteristic X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and luminescence spectra using a focused electron beam, for non-destructive evaluation of surfaces of samples in situ, in planetary ambient atmosphere. In situ operation is obtained through the use of a thin electron transmissive membrane to isolate the vacuum within the AEXS electron source from the outside ambient atmosphere. By using a focused electron beam, the impinging electrons on samples in the external atmosphere excite XRF spectra from the irradiated spots with high-to-medium spatial resolution. The XRF spectra are analyzed using an energy-dispersive detector to determine surface elemental composition. The use of high- intensity electron beam results in rapid spectrum acquisition (several minutes), and consequently low energy consumption (several tens of Joules) per acquired XRF spectrum in comparison to similar portable instruments.
Document ID
20070034998
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Conference Paper
External Source(s)
Authors
Wilcox, Jaroslava Z.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Urgiles, Eduardo
Toda, Risaku
George, Thomas
Douglas, Susanne
Crisp, Joy
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
April 24, 2005
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: European Geosciences Union General Assembly
Location: Vienna
Country: Austria
Start Date: April 24, 2005
End Date: April 29, 2005
Sponsors: European Geosciences Union
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
X-ray fluorescence (XRF)

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