UV-radiation can act on organic/biologic matter in several ways. UV radiation can cause specific damages in the DNA-containing living sytems inducing dimers of the nucleic acid bases (pyrimidines). Under the influence of short wavelength UV exposure in the dimers a photoreversion can occur: monomerization. A further important influence is the formation of catalytically produced oxidants such as superoxide ions and other associated species such as peroxides, because of their anticipated capability to diffuse into deeper horizons of the soil. We designed a simple radiation apparatus to simulate the solar spectrum at the Martian surface between 200 and 700 nm. The system comprises an ozone-free xenon arc lamp and special exchangeable filter-sets and mirrors to simulate the effects of the Martian atmospheric column and dust loading. A variety of devices such as filters and mirrors, which may serve to remove the IR-component of the lamp, will be discussed.
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