EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Wang et al. 1995
Wang, A., Jolliff, B.L. and Haskin, L.A. (1995). Raman spectroscopy as a method for mineral identification on lunar robotic exploration missions. Journal of Geophysical Research 100: doi: 10.1029/95JE02133. issn: 0148-0227.

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 sensor head on the end of an optical fiber bundle that carried the laser beam and returned the scattered radiation could be placed against surfaces at any desired angle by a deployment mechanism; otherwise, the instrument would need no moving parts. A modern micro-Raman spectrometer with its beam broadened (to expand the spot to 50-μm diameter) and set for low resolution (7 cm-1 in the 100--1400 cm-1 region relative to 514.5-nm excitation), was used to simulate the spectra anticipated from a rover instrument. We present spectra for lunar mineral grains, <1 mm soil fines, breccia fragments, and glasses. From frequencies of olivine peaks, we derived sufficiently precise forsterite content to correlate the analyzed grains to known rock types and we obtained appropriate forsterite contents from weak signals above background in soil fines and breccias. Peak positions of pyroxenes were sufficiently well determined to distinguish among orthorhombic, monoclinic, and triclinic (pyroxenoid) structures; additional information can be obtained from pyroxene spectra, but requires further laboratory calibration. Plagioclase provided sharp peaks in soil fines and most breccias even when the glass content was high. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1995.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Planetology, Solid Surface Planets, Instruments and techniques, Mineralogy and Petrology, Planetary mineralogy and petrology, Planetology, Solid Surface Planets, Surface materials and properties, Planetology, Solar System Objects, Moon
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit