JpGU-AGU Joint Meeting 2017

Presentation information

[EE] Oral

P (Space and Planetary Sciences) » P-CG Complex & General

[P-CG23] [EE] Future missions and instrumentation for space and planetary science

Wed. May 24, 2017 1:45 PM - 3:15 PM A03 (Tokyo Bay Makuhari Hall)

convener:Satoshi Kasahara(The university of Tokyo), Shingo Kameda(School of Science, Rikkyo University), Mitsunori Ozaki(Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University), Yoshiya Kasahara(Information Media Center, Kanazawa University), Chairperson:Satoshi Kasahara (The university of Tokyo)

2:15 PM - 2:30 PM

[PCG23-03] Development of TOF-MS for planetary exploration

*Yusuke Imai1, Yoshifumi Saito2, Shoichiro Yokota2, Satoshi Kasahara1, Naoaki Saito3, Yuichiro Cho4, Yayoi N. Miura5, Shingo Kameda6, Seiji Sugita1 (1.Department of Earth and Planetary Science, The University of Tokyo, 2.Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, 3.National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 4.NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, 5.Earthquake Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 6.Department of Physics, Rikkyo University)

Keywords:TOF-MS, K-Ar dating, Planetary Exploration

In-situ material measurement in planetary exploration is important in understanding origin and evolution of the planets. For the purpose of performing in-situ elemental analysis, mass spectrometers are installed, for example, on NASA’s Curiosity rover and the ESA’s Rosetta spacecraft. However, researchers in Japan still do not have a mass spectrometer that is suitable for the future planetary exploration. Therefore, we have decided to develop a Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (TOF-MS) aiming at using for the future planetary exploration. Among different applications for our mass spectrometer is in-situ Potassium-Argon (K-Ar) isochron dating. In situ Potassium-Argon (K-Ar) isochron dating is the combination of a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for the K concentration measurement and a mass spectrometer for the Ar isotopic measurement. Considering that the instrument should be installed on a planetary lander, there exists limitation on the weight, size and power, it is necessary to design a small size mass spectrometer which has a mass resolution capable of the Ar isotopic measurements. In order to minimize the variation of the initial position and initial energy of the ionized ions for maximizing the mass resolution, we adopted a single-stage reflectron with two-stage acceleration part. We have analytically optimized the design parameters of the TOF-MS. By using SIMION field and charged particle trajectory simulation software we have confirmed that mass resolution of our TOF-MS is high enough for Ar isotopic measurements. We will report the current status of our TOF-MS development. In addition, we will report the status of the multi-reflector type TOF-MS which has the potential to increase mass resolution under the size constraint.