Recent innovations in X-ray instrumentation have enabled a new generation of planetary XRS instruments exhibiting performance matching terr estrial laboratory results

Carlberg, Ingrid A.

Elam, W.T.

Kelliher, Warren C.

Mccarthy, Michael P.

Mclennan, Scott M.

Shuler, Robert L.

NASA Technical Reports Server

ABSTRACT
Miniature X-ray Tubes
 • Much higher output 
 • Control of excitation
 • Low power (1 watt)
 • Rugged
Applications
 • Penetrators 
 • Touch-and-go probes
 • Astronauts
 • Process control
 • In situ / boreholes
 • Analytical laboratories
Silicon Drift Detectors
 • High count rates
 • Can operate at room   
  temperature (and above)
 • Light element sensitivity
Digital Pulse Processing
 • Short shaping times
 • Optimal pulse shape
 • Excellent pileup rejection
 • Reduced mass and power
 • Can be integrated with   
  control and comms
Window Materials
 • Thinner window materials  
  allow detection of light   
   element X-rays
 • Rugged window materials  
  allow operation at high   
  pressures, in corrosive   
  atmospheres, and via direct  
  push in to subsurface   
  regolith
Performance 
 • ppm detection of trace elements
 • Wide element coverage (C to U)
 • Adaptable to difficult environments
 • Light-element info from scatter
 • Reduced mass/power/volume
Recent innovations in X-ray instrumentation have enabled a new generation of planetary 
XRS instruments exhibiting performance matching terrestrial laboratory results.
W.T. Elam1, Warren C. Kelliher2, Michael P. McCarthy3, Robert L. Shuler4, Scott M. McLennan5, and Ingrid A. Carlberg2
1 Applied Physics Laboratory-University of Washington
2 NASA Langley Research Center
3 Earth and Space Sciences Department-University of Washington
4 Johnson Space Center
5 SUNY Stony Brook
Improvements in X-ray Spectrometry 
for Planetary Surface Exploration
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20090016352 2019-08-30T06:44:13+00:00Z


Improvements in X-Ray Spectrometry for Planetary Surface Exploration

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