Raman-LIBS, a journey from Mars to Earth via the Moon

In 2005 ESA initiated a study for a spectrometer combining Raman and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)as a potential instrument for the Pasteur payload of the ESA ExoMars rover. It is a fundamental, next-generation instrument for organic, mineralogical and elemental characterization of soil, rock samples and organic molecules. The...

Determining spatial sodium distribution in fresh and aged bread using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

A fast and easy-to-use method using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was set up to determine Na (sodium) distribution in baked bread. Standard bread was made using a standard recipe and the amount of salt added was 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 10, 15 and 20g corresponding to 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0% salt on the flour base. Dough...

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy & enrichment by chelation

LIBS is used for fast, multi-component analysis of element compositions, but it is not very suitable for liquids. Moreover the sensitivity for metal ions is often insufficient. A fast and sensitive detection tool for metal ions in food matrices, including aqueous solutions, is developed. The principle of operation of LIBS is that a small amount...

Moon4You: a combined Raman/LIBS instrument for lunar exploration

Moon4You is a project led by the Dutch Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO, with partners from industry and universities in the Netherlands that aims to provide a combined Raman/LIBS instrument as scientific payload for lunar exploration missions. It is the first time that Raman spectroscopy and LIBS (Laser Induced Breakdown...

Combined Raman/LIBS spectrometer elegant breadboard - built and tested - and flight model spectrometer unit

Combined Raman spectrometer/laser-induced breakdown spectrometer for the next ESA mission to Mars

Among the different instruments that have been pre-selected to be on-board the Pasteur payload on ExoMars is the Raman/laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument. Raman spectroscopy and LIBS will be integrated into a single instrument sharing many hardware commonalities. An international team under the lead of TNO has been gathered...

Combined raman spectrometer/laser-induced breakdown spectrometer design concept

Amongst the different instruments that have been preselected to be on-board the Pasteur payload on ExoMars is the Raman/ Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument. Raman spectroscopy and LIBS will be integrated into a single instrument sharing many hardware commonalities. An international team under the lead of TNO has been gathered...