Development of Atmospheric Electron-Induced X-Ray Spectrometer (AEXS) Instrument with High Spatial Resolution for Surface Elemental Analysis in Planetary Atmosphere

One of the most powerful techniques for the characterization of mineral samples is Electron-induced Energy-Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (EDX-XRF). If used for resolving the elemental composition for samples in their natural state, high spatial resolution data will provide insight into geological processes and formation mechanisms of planets and other solar system objects. By correlating the XRF with other spectra (eg XUV and optical luminescence) additional information could be obtained about the bonding structure and oxidation states for the minerals. To date, all in situ missions have carried some form of an XRF instrument. For example, the APXS instrument aboard the Mars Pathfinder and MER determined bulk" averaged elemental composition over areas of several cm in diameter. The spectrum acquisition time required to resolve the XRF spectrum was several hours. In order to obtain spatial maps, the spectrum acquisition time must be decreased and the spatial resolution of future XRF instruments increased in comparison to the current methods.