Deep UV Raman/Fluorescence (DUV-RF) Stand-Off Sensor for Lunar Science, Phase II

This Phase II proposal is to develop a miniature, low power consumption, fused deep UV Raman and native fluorescence (DUV-RF) 1 meter stand-off sensor. The proposed instrument has an enhanced ability to measure the spatial distribution of chemical species containing C/N/H/O/S/Cl, and water, ice, and hydrated-minerals on a 1-5 mm spatial scale enabled by a novel wide-aperture, high-sensitivity ultraminiature UV Raman spectrometer. Raman spectroscopy is a non-contact, non-destructive, method of identifying unknown materials without sample acquisition or processing; ideal for in-situ rovers. However traditional Raman instruments are plagued with fluorescence backgrounds, require sample altering, high-powered lasers, and require the use fiber optics; an instrument design with operational constraints and high power requirements. Our innovative instrument design incorporates our deep UV lasers for fiberless resonance Raman spectroscopy in a fluorescence free zone where resonance effects lead to enhancements by > 2-3orders of magnitude over 532 and 785 nm systems and can be coupled to native fluorescence for ppt detection of aromatic organics compounds. The New Frontiers has placed a South pole-Aitken Basin sample return as a future mission scenario. The enhanced detection capabilities of DUV-RF can be used to provide an understanding of organics and water distribution in the lunar regolith. More »