Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS) is a miniature

Raman spectrometer Raman spectroscopy () (named after Indian physicist C. V. Raman) is a spectroscopic technique typically used to determine vibrational modes of molecules, although rotational and other low-frequency modes of systems may also be observed. Raman s ...

that is part of the science payload on board the

European Space Agency , owners = , headquarters = Paris, Île-de-France, France , coordinates = , spaceport = Guiana Space Centre , seal = File:ESA emblem seal.png , seal_size = 130px , image = Views in the Main Control Room (120 ...

''Rosalind Franklin'' rover, tasked to search for

biosignature A biosignature (sometimes called chemical fossil or molecular fossil) is any substance – such as an element, isotope, or molecule – or phenomenon that provides scientific evidence of past or present life. Measurable attribute ...

s and

biomarker In biomedical contexts, a biomarker, or biological marker, is a measurable indicator of some biological state or condition. Biomarkers are often measured and evaluated using blood, urine, or soft tissues to examine normal biological processes, p ...

s on Mars. The rover is planned to be launched in August–October 2022 and land on Mars in spring 2023.

Raman spectroscopy Raman spectroscopy () (named after Indian physicist C. V. Raman) is a spectroscopic technique typically used to determine vibrational modes of molecules, although rotational and other low-frequency modes of systems may also be observed. Raman s ...

is a very useful technique employed to identify mineral phases produced by water-related processes. RLS will help to identify

organic compound In chemistry, organic compounds are generally any chemical compounds that contain carbon- hydrogen or carbon-carbon bonds. Due to carbon's ability to catenate (form chains with other carbon atoms), millions of organic compounds are known. Th ...

s and search for microbial

life Life is a quality that distinguishes matter that has biological processes, such as Cell signaling, signaling and self-sustaining processes, from that which does not, and is defined by the capacity for Cell growth, growth, reaction to Stimu ...

by identifying the mineral products and indicators of biologic activities. RLS will provide geological and mineralogical context information that will be scientifically cross-correlated with that obtained by other instruments.

Overview

Raman spectroscopy is sensitive to the composition and structure of any

, making it a powerful tool for the definitive identification and characterisation of

s, and providing direct information of potential

s of past microbial

life on Mars The possibility of life on Mars is a subject of interest in astrobiology due to the planet's proximity and similarities to Earth. To date, no proof of past or present life has been found on Mars. Cumulative evidence suggests that during the ...

. This instrument will also provide general mineralogical information for igneous, metamorphous, and sedimentary processes. RST will also correlate its spectral information with other spectroscopic and imaging instruments such as the Infrared Spectrometer and MicrOmega-IR. This will be the first Raman analyser to be deployed for a planetary exploration. The first version for the rover was presented by Fernando Rull-Perez and Sylvestre Maurice in 2003. The RLS is being developed by a European consortium integrated by Spanish, French, German and UK partners. The

Principal Investigator In many countries, the term principal investigator (PI) refers to the holder of an independent grant and the lead researcher for the grant project, usually in the sciences, such as a laboratory study or a clinical trial. The phrase is also often us ...

is Fernando Rull-Perez, from

Spanish Astrobiology Center Spanish Astrobiology Center ( es, Centro de Astrobiología, links=no (CAB)) is a state-run institute in Spain dedicated to astrobiology research, and it is part of the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA) as well as the Spanish Nation ...

. The co-investigator is from Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (LAOMP), France. The three major components are the ''Spectrometer Unit'', the ''Control and Excitation Unit'' (includes the power converters), and ''Optical head''.https://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2011/pdf/2400.pdf

Principle and operation

The RLS instrument provides a structural fingerprint by which molecules can be identified. It is used to analyse the vibrational modes of a substance either in the solid, liquid or gas state. The technique relies on

Raman scattering Raman scattering or the Raman effect () is the inelastic scattering of photons by matter, meaning that there is both an exchange of energy and a change in the light's direction. Typically this effect involves vibrational energy being gained by a ...

of a photon by molecules which are excited to higher vibrational or rotational energy levels. In more detail, it will collect and analyse the scattered light emitted by a

laser A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation. The word "laser" is an acronym for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation". The firs ...

on a crushed Mars rock sample; the

spectrum A spectrum (plural ''spectra'' or ''spectrums'') is a condition that is not limited to a specific set of values but can vary, without gaps, across a continuum. The word was first used scientifically in optics to describe the rainbow of color ...

observed (number of peaks, position and relative intensities) is determined by the molecular structure and composition of a compound, enabling the identification and characterisation of the compounds in the sample. Some advantages of RLS over other analysers are that it is nondestructive, analysis is completed in a fraction of a second, and the spectral bands provide definitive composition of the material. RLS measurements will be conducted on the resulting crushed sample powder and it will be a useful tool for flagging the presence of organic molecules for further

search by the

MOMA Moma may refer to: People * Moma Clarke (1869–1958), British journalist * Moma Marković (1912–1992), Serbian politician * Momčilo Rajin (born 1954), Serbian art and music critic, theorist and historian, artist and publisher Places ; ...

analyser. The processor board carries out several key functions for the Raman spectrometer control, spectral operation, data storage, and communications with the rover. The complete instrument has a mass of 2.4 kg (5.29 lb) and consumes about 30 W while operating.Raman Laser pectrometer for 2020 ExoMars Mission. Engineering and qualification model capabilities and future activities.
(PDF). A. G. Morala, F. Rull, S. Maurice, I. Hutchinson, C.P. Canora, L. Seoane, R. Canchal, P. Gallego, G. Ramos, J.A.R. Prieto, A. Santiago, P. Santamaría, M. Colombo, T. Belenguer, G. López, C. Quintana, J. Zafra, A. Berrocal, C. Pintor, J. Cabrero, J. Saiz. 49th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2018. LPI Contrib. No. 2083.

Objectives

The goal of RLS is to seek signs of past

(

s and

s) by analysing drilled samples acquired from 2 meters below the Martian surface by the ''Rosalind Franklin'' rover core drill. The science objectives of RLS are: #Identify

s and search for

.The search for signatures of early life on Mars: Raman spectroscopy and the Exomars mission
Howell G.M. Edwards, Ian B. Hutchinson, Richard Ingley, Nick R. Waltham, Sarah Beardsley, Shaun Dowson, and Simon Woodward. ''Spectroscopy Europe''. #Identify mineral products and indicators of biologic activity. #Characterize mineral phases produced by water-related processes. #Characterize igneous minerals and their alteration products. #Characterize the water/geochemical environment as a function of depth in the shallow subsurface.

References

{{Use British English, date=July 2018 ExoMars Spacecraft instruments Mars imagers Astrobiology Space science experiments INTA spacecraft instruments

Overview

Principle and operation

Objectives

See also

References