A mission-enabling UV laser for mass spectrometry (UVMS) with continuously selectable output for in-situ planetary exploration

Coyle, D. Barry; Poulios, Demetrios; Arévalo, Ricardo; Clarke, Greg B.; Stysley, Paul R.

doi:10.1117/12.2305223

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The THANOS laser is the successful culmination of several NASA internal research and development (IRAD) projects with the specific goal of contributing towards planetary LDMS applications. 5…”

Section: Introduction: the Dragonfly Missionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance of the dragonfly mass spectrometer (DraMS) programmable UV laser source engineering test unit (ETU)

Mullin,

Coyle,

Stysley

et al. 2024

Solid State Lasers XXXIII: Technology and Devices

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NASA's Dragonfly mission will sample surface materials from multiple sites on Saturn's largest moon, Titan, in exploration of prebiotic chemistry. We report on the performance of our short-pulsed UV laser transmitter, developed for the Dragonfly's on-board Mass Spectrometer (DraMS). Our engineering test unit (ETU) has completed flight qualification and demonstrated its operational science requirements, such that the final spaceflight unit build can begin. The Titan Hydrocarbon Analysis Nanosecond Optical Source (THANOS) ETU laser produces 266 nm laser pulses at programmable energy levels to perform high resolution laser desorption mass spectrometry (LDMS) measurements. The laser operates in bursts of 1-50 pulses, each at < 2 ns pulse width with a pulse energy of 0 -200 uJ, at a 100 Hz repetition rate. This paper details the qualification process of the THANOS laser as well as the rigorous characterization performed to ensure consistent performance of the system during laboratory testing, while integrated onto the DraMS instrument and most critically, while operating on the distant surface of Titan.

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Section: Introduction: the Dragonfly Missionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance of the dragonfly mass spectrometer (DraMS) programmable UV laser source engineering test unit (ETU)

Mullin,

Coyle,

Stysley

et al. 2024

Solid State Lasers XXXIII: Technology and Devices

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…THANOS leverages results from several NASA internal research and development (IRAD) efforts specifically intended for planetary LDMS applications. 3 Dragonfly is funded under NASA's New Frontiers program and is currently slated to launch in 2027, with an arrival on Titan in 2034 -with a baselined 2.7-year operational life on the surface. 4 Figure 2.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Technology development of a solid state 266 nm laser for NASA’s Dragonfly mission

Mullin¹,

Coyle²,

Stysley³

et al. 2023

Solid State Lasers XXXII: Technology and Devices

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NASA’s Dragonfly mission is a rotorcraft lander which will explore several geologic locations on Saturn’s moon, Titan and investigate evidence of surface-level prebiotic chemistry as well as search for chemical signatures of water-based and/or hydrocarbon-based life. To perform molecular composition investigations in-situ, the payload includes the Dragonfly Mass Spectrometer (DraMS), being developed at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). DraMS will utilize laser desorption mass spectrometry (LDMS) to interrogate surface samples and measure the organic composition. Enabling this science capability is the Throttled Hydrocarbon Analysis by Nanosecond Optical Source (THANOS) laser being developed at NASA-GSFC. The THANOS laser is comprised of a solid state, passively Q-Switched Nd:YAG oscillator which is frequency converted to 266 nm and utilizes a RTP high voltage electro-optic for pulse energy control. The laser outputs <2.0 ns pulses with a maximum energy of approximately 200 uJ which can be emitted in 1 - 50 shot bursts at 100 Hz while performing LDMS science operations. The laser has the capability to throttle its UV pulse energy output from full attenuation to maximum energy to provide varying levels of fluence on samples in the DraMS instrument. We report on the THANOS’ laser technology development and space qualification effort including vibration, thermal vacuum cycling, radiation as well as optical damage testing due to Titan’s atmospheric composition, performed at NASA-GSFC from 2019 through 2022.

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A mission-enabling UV laser for mass spectrometry (UVMS) with continuously selectable output for in-situ planetary exploration

Cited by 2 publications

References 8 publications

Performance of the dragonfly mass spectrometer (DraMS) programmable UV laser source engineering test unit (ETU)

Performance of the dragonfly mass spectrometer (DraMS) programmable UV laser source engineering test unit (ETU)

Technology development of a solid state 266 nm laser for NASA’s Dragonfly mission

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