Simulation of the Neutral Particle Converter of the ARIES-L Device

AbstractThis paper presents the concept of Lunar regolith surface layer composition analysis using solar wind bombardment and registration of the sputtered and knocked out atoms converted into ions with solid-state converters and subsequent registration of ions by high-aperture electrostatic analyzer. Monte Carlo binary collision approximation code is used to calculate angular and energy distributions of scattered and sputtered atoms. Literature data are used for evaluation of charged fractions of scattered and sputtered components and SIMION code is used for calculation of charged particles trajectories in electrostatic deflector. The total sensitivity of the proposed scheme is evaluated

Laser-based Diagnostics for Use in Ex-situ Lithium Co-deposit Analysis

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometry of laser-produced ions were tested for ex-situ analysis of lithium co-deposited layers produced by plasma deposition. It was found that LIBS provides an adequate way to observe and measure lithium content in thin co-deposited layers of about 1 µm thickness. TOF mass spectrometry data of the same layers was compared with LIBS. TOF mass spectrometry provided a better resolution; however, the simplicity of LIBS setup and the rate of measurement (less than one minute per measurement) makes it more attractive. Argon was observed in the co-deposited layers, indicating that it, and likely other inert gases, can remain trapped in lithium layers even after a prolonged exposure to and chemical reaction with atmospheric air