Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
Ultra-Compact Optical Spectrometer for Organic Mapping, uCOSOM (microcosm)
Project Description
We propose to develop a soda-can-size, 500 g, 400 mW instrument for mounting on small lander or rover arms: the ultra-Compact Optical Spectrometer for Organic Mapping (uCOSOM) instrument. Two core technologies enable the proposed instrument: a narrow linewidth deep UV laser and a new uncooled, resistive gate linear DUV CCD array detector with high quantum efficiency in the DUV with fast read rates and low read noise. The need for in situ micro-scale mapping for trace concentrations of organics on planetary surfaces is exemplified by requirements put forth the (July 09) Mid Range Rover; Science Analysis Group (MRR-SAG) and again in a 2010 Astrobiology paper by Pratt et al. uCOSOM fulfills similar organic needs on future in-situ missions with MER class rover/arm sizes or small landers to planetary bodies such as Mars, icy worlds (Titan, Europa, Enceladus), and small primitive bodies. uCOSOM provides a broad organic and inorganic compound measurement capability without the need for sample handling or reagents. It will excite sub-ppb levels of organic compounds on rocks, soil, or other surfaces in the deep UV below 250 nm and simultaneously measure Raman scattering in the 250 nm to 260 nm region (1000 to 4000 cm-1) and native fluorescence in the 260 nm to 700 nm region at a working distance of several cm, with long depth of focus, and with the ability to map areas up to 1 by 1 cm in size with 100 micrometer spatial resolution. The pulsed source enables solar blind gated Raman and fluorescence spectral measurements but also fluorescence and phosphorescence decay measurements to provide orthogonal information about target composition. The instrument can also provide spectral reflectance of targets from 250 nm to 700 nm together with Raman and fluorescence data, using solar illumination, and enable solar and stellar irradiance and sky background measurements.
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Anticipated Benefits
NASA applications benefit from the miniature size and ability to detect and characterize trace chemical and biological contaminants on surfaces and in liquids for space science applications as well as for planetary protection and sample return applications. uCOSOM provides a very miniature instrument for terrestrial field applications including examination of targets both on the surface and underwater. Because of its size, weight, and power consumption uCOSOM can be deployed on very miniature robots or be hand-held. Because of the broad measurement capability, it can not only measure the chemical and biological nature of materials but also provide information on the environment and situation of the target measurement. As a tool for first responders, this instrument surpasses other Raman based instruments because of the limits of detection and ability to characterize a very broad range of materials without fluorescence obscuration of Raman bands and the added information provide by fluorescence as an independent, orthogonal, measurement variable.
The uCOSOM instrument has a broad range of potential commercial applications both military and civilian first responders to identify chemical and biological contaminants related to foreign or domestic terrorism. uCOSOM also provides a very miniature instrument for terrestrial field applications including examination of targets both on the surface and underwater. Because of its size, weight, and power consumption uCOSOM can be deployed on very miniature robots or be hand-held. Because of the broad measurement capability, it can not only measure the chemical and biological nature of materials but also provide information on the environment and situation of the target measurement. Simple additions to the instrument can provide GPS location as well as azimuth and elevation information to each extensive Raman and fluorescence data set. Other commercial applications of uCOSOM would include chemical and biological surface contamination for the pharmaceutical industry, hospitals, microelectronics and other industries, product testing in the chemical and food industries, and environmental monitoring of water, air, soil, and a myriad of other applications where small spot sizes or photon-energy-specific excitation is needed or enabling. More »
The uCOSOM instrument has a broad range of potential commercial applications both military and civilian first responders to identify chemical and biological contaminants related to foreign or domestic terrorism. uCOSOM also provides a very miniature instrument for terrestrial field applications including examination of targets both on the surface and underwater. Because of its size, weight, and power consumption uCOSOM can be deployed on very miniature robots or be hand-held. Because of the broad measurement capability, it can not only measure the chemical and biological nature of materials but also provide information on the environment and situation of the target measurement. Simple additions to the instrument can provide GPS location as well as azimuth and elevation information to each extensive Raman and fluorescence data set. Other commercial applications of uCOSOM would include chemical and biological surface contamination for the pharmaceutical industry, hospitals, microelectronics and other industries, product testing in the chemical and food industries, and environmental monitoring of water, air, soil, and a myriad of other applications where small spot sizes or photon-energy-specific excitation is needed or enabling. More »
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photon Systems, Inc. | Lead Organization | Industry | Covina, California |
| Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) | Supporting Organization | FFRDC/UARC | Pasadena, California |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
California
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