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Calibrating the ChemCam LIBS for carbonate minerals on Mars

Journal Article · · Applied Optics
OSTI ID:971298

The ChemCam instrument suite on board the NASA Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover includes the first LIBS instrument for extraterrestrial applications. Here we examine carbonate minerals in a simulated martian environment using the LIDS technique in order to better understand the in situ signature of these materials on Mars. Both chemical composition and rock type are determined using multivariate analysis (MVA) techniques. Composition is confirmed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Our initial results suggest that ChemCam can recognize and differentiate between carbonate materials on Mars.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC52-06NA25396
OSTI ID:
971298
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-09-06144; LA-UR-09-6144
Journal Information:
Applied Optics, Journal Name: Applied Optics; ISSN APOPAI; ISSN 0003-6935
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English