INVESTIGATIONS ON MARS MODEL MINERALS BY IN SITU LASER RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY

摘要

For a fundamental understanding of the origin and evolution of planets detailed information on the surface material is required. Identifying structural fossils or chemical traces of extinct or extant life alongside with in depth mineral characterization of the site can be accomplished with Raman Spectroscopy. Some beneficial features of this technique are summarized here.The current progress in the development of small, light-weighted Raman instruments supports the idea to use this method also for in situ investigations of planetary surfaces. Raman imaging (scanning method) was performed on a sample taken from Ries's meteorite. Surface characteristics and local topography on the sample's surface proved to be of no importance in getting the spectral information. Using model samples, the use of a predefined set of Raman markers was tried. The applicability of micro-Raman spec-troscopy for investigating in hostile medium conditions (e.g. through thin dust deposits) has to be proved though neither sample's surface reflectivity nor it's transparency are critical parameters.