X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy for planetary exploration

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  • HASEBE Nobuyuki
    School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Waseda University
  • KUSANO Hiroki
    Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Waseda University
  • NAGAOKA Hiroshi
    School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University

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Other Title
  • 惑星探査における蛍光X線分光
  • ワクセイ タンサ ニ オケル ケイコウ Xセン ブンコウ

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Abstract

<p>Elemental abundance of surface material in planetary bodies is essentially important information to know the geological evolution of the bodies. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy with an excellent capability of elemental identification has been employed in the previous and current orbiters and landers for such planetary bodies as the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Venus and asteroids. Those XRF experiments have provided important restraints to understand the geological and cosmochemical processes occurred in their surfaces during the evolutional stages, and have greatly contributed to the progress of planetary science. Recent progress in the X-ray detector technology allows us the improvement of the identification capability of elements. Moreover, the combination of the XRF observation with the VNIR (Visual and Infrared Spectrometer) making a precise measurement of both element and mineral compositions, has provided the great success of geological survey of the planetary exploration. The reasons why so many XRFs have been boarded on planetary missions so far are the excellent energy resolution, compactness, light weight, low power consumption, precise and stable spectral observation, and relatively easy interpretation of spectral data, in addition to the importance of element information in planetary exploration, when compared with other instruments for elemental analysis. The XRF instruments carried on the previous/current planetary missions and their scientific results are reviewed in this work. A future XRF observation project in the development stage in Japan and the future prospects are also described.</p>

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