Raman spectroscopy as a method for mineral identification on lunar robotic exploration missions

A. Wang, B. L. Jolliff, L. A. Haskin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

117 Scopus citations

Abstract

The sharp, nonoverlapping Raman bands for plagioclase, pyroxene, and olivine would be advantageous for on-surface, active mineralogical analysis of lunar materials. A robust, light-weight, low-power, rover-based Raman spectrometer with a laser exciting source, entirely transmission-mode holographic optics, and a charge-coupled device (CCD) detector could fit within a <20 cm cube. A modern micro-Raman spectrometer with its beam broadened and set for low resolution, was used to simulate the spectra anticipated from a rover instrument. The paper presents spectra for lunar mineral grains, <1 mm soil fines, breccia fragments, and glasses. -from Authors

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)21,189-21,199
JournalJournal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences
Volume100
Issue numberE10
DOIs
StatePublished - 1995

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