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

[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.