On-Surface Planetary Mineralogy Using Time Resolved Raman and Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Introduction: Laser Raman spectroscopy offers the exciting opportunity to interrogate rocks in their natural geological context, preserving the mineral constituents along with their textural and morphological information (Figure 1). Microscopic Raman spectroscopy is a nondestructive means of generating two dimensional maps of mineralogy on the order of grain sizes. Because of its versatility, Raman spectroscopy has developed as a prime candidate for in situ exploration of planetary bodies (e.g. Mars, Venus, the Moon, the moons of Mars – Phobos and Deimos, asteroids) as well as pre-selection of rock and soil samples for cache and return missions. Laser Raman spectroscopy is a widely used method in the laboratory, and more recently in the field, for structural analysis of minerals. Large databases of Raman spectra of minerals are under development to enable rapid mineral identification, for example the RRUFF project [1].