Gas-phase electronic spectra of several carbon chain anions have been measured in the laboratory and compared with diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs). The lowest energy transition C−7 shows seven prominent narrow bands, five which show striking matches DIBs while other peaks are obscured by broader, more intense, DIBs. origin corresponding C−6, C−8, C−9 also appear to match These observations provide first compelling evidence for identification some DIB carriers. presented data on these...

Mass spectrometric analysis of elemental and isotopic compositions several NIST standards is performed by a miniature laser ablation/ionisation reflectron-type time-of-flight mass spectrometer (LMS) using fs-laser ablation ion source (775 nm, 190 fs, 1 kHz). The results the studies indicate that in defined range irradiance (fluence) for certain number accumulations single shot spectra, measurements isotope abundances can be conducted with measurement accuracy at per mill level cent...

Space has been called the final frontier and for generations scientists have seeking to answer a basic question, “What is it made of?” Various instrumentation payloads sent our nearest planetary neighbors help this question mass spectrometer often among those instruments selected journey. However, payload space expensive service engineer isn't ‘just around corner’. So, key design aspects an interplanetary instrument performance, miniaturization ruggedness. In month's Special Feature Riedo...

High-resolution chemical depth profiling measurements of copper films are presented. The 10 μm thick test samples were electrodeposited on a Si-supported Cu seed under galvanostatic conditions in the presence particular plating additives (SPS, Imep, PEI, and PAG) used semiconductor industry for on-chip metallization interconnects. To probe trend these toward inclusion into deposit upon growth, quantitative elemental mass spectrometric at trace level concentration conducted by using sensitive...

Femtosecond laser ablation/ionization mass spectrometry (LIMS) has been applied to probe the spatial element composition of three ternary Cu–Sn–Pb model bronze alloys (lead bronzes: CuSn10Pb10, CuSn7Pb15, and CuSn5Pb20), which were recently identified as high-performance cathode materials in context electro-organic synthesis (dehalogenation, deoxygenation) pharmaceutically relevant building blocks. The quantitative spatially resolved analysis such will help understanding observed profound...

Abstract The ORganics Information Gathering INstrument (ORIGIN) is a space-prototype laser desorption ionization mass spectrometer designed to analyze molecular biosignatures. Nucleobases, fundamental components of nucleic acids, have been found in carbonaceous meteorites and returned samples from the asteroid Ryugu, which suggest their extraterrestrial origin possibly significance prebiotic chemistry RNA world hypothesis. Therefore, future space missions should be equipped for situ...

Additive manufacturing of ion optical components for rapid prototyping in mass spectrometry. 3D printed reflectron shows similar performance to conventionally manufactured system.

Hydrated sulfate deposits have been detected on Mars. A spaceflight instrument capable of detecting microfossils in these salt is highly important for the search ancient life This study employed a range analytical methods, including nondestructive optical microscopy and SEM-EDX, as well spatially resolved laser ablation mass spectrometry (LIMS), latter being designed in-situ analyses planetary surfaces, to comprehensively examine morphology, texture, mineralogy, geochemistry fossil-bearing...

The detection and identification of the building blocks life, from amino acids to more complex molecules such as certain lipids, is a crucial but highly challenging task for current future space exploration missions in our Solar System. To date, Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry has been main technology applied. Although it shown excellent performance laboratory research, not yet able provide conclusive answer regarding presence or absence signature extinct extant, exploration. In this...

Colour variations within the same type of gemstone are caused by different abundances trace elements. But apart from producing pretty colours, analysis elements in gemstones is frequently used to distinguish between synthetic and natural specimen, for provenance determination, treatment detection [1]. Every element composition closely tied its geological origin; thus, it possible determine according those unique ‘fingerprints’. However, some gemstones, such as sapphires,...

The Allende meteorite, which fell in northern Mexico 1969, is one of the most significant meteorites ever studied. As a carbonaceous chondrite, it represents some oldest and primitive material solar system, dating back over 4.5 billion years. It provides insights into early nebula processes planetary formation. Through chemical composition analysis meteorite’s refractory inclusions, deeper understanding building blocks planets evolution our system can be gained [1].In this...

Detection of extraterrestrial life is an ongoing goal in space exploration, and there a need for advanced instruments methods the detection signatures based on chemical isotopic composition. Here, we present first investigation composition putative microfossils natural samples using miniature laser ablation/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (LMS). The studies were conducted with high lateral (∼15 μm) vertical (∼20–200 nm) resolution. primary aim study was to investigate instrument...

Scientific objectives of current and future space missions are focused on the investigation origin evolution solar system with particular emphasis habitability signatures past present life. For in situ measurements chemical composition solid samples planetary surfaces, neutral atmospheric gas thermal plasma atmospheres, application mass spectrometers making use time-of-flight analysers is a technique widely used. However, such investigations imply good statistics and, thus, large amount data...

High-speed detector systems with high dynamic range and pulse width characteristics in the sub-nanosecond regime are mandatory for resolution highly sensitive time-of-flight mass spectrometers. Typically, a reasonable area, an impedance-matched anode design is necessary to transmit registered signal fast distortion-free from acquisition system. In this report, high-speed microstrip multi-anode multichannel plate presented discussed. The consists of four separate active concentric segments...

Abstract For the last four decades space exploration missions have searched for molecular life on planetary surfaces beyond Earth. Often pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry has been used as payload such missions. These instruments relatively low detection sensitivity and their measurements are often undermined by presence of chloride salts minerals. Currently, ocean worlds in outer Solar System, icy moons Europa Enceladus, represent potentially habitable environments therefore...

CONTEXT: The small radius and high density of CoRoT-7b implies that this transiting planet belongs to a differen t species than all planets previously found. Current models suggest is the first rocky found outside solar system. Given orbits solar-like star at distance on ly 4.5 R*, it expected material released from its surface may then form an exosphere. AIMS: We constrai n properties exosphere by observing in- out-of-transit. Detecting would for time allow study originating in extrasolar...

Performance studies of a microscope‐camera system ( MCS ) and laser ablation/ionisation mass spectrometer (LIMS) instrument (referred to here as or LMS are presented. These two instruments were designed independently for in situ analysis solids on planetary surfaces will be combined single miniature suite chemical morphological surface materials bodies. can perform sensitive (elemental, isotope molecular) analyses with spatial resolution close micrometre‐sized grains. It allows M /Δ up 800...

The recognition of biosignatures on planetary bodies requires the analysis putative microfossil with a set complementary analytical techniques. This includes localized elemental and isotopic both its surrounding host matrix. If can be performed spatial resolution at micrometer level part-per-million detection sensitivities, valuable information (bio)chemical physical processes that influenced sample material gained. Our miniaturized laser ablation ionization mass spectrometry...

A key interest of planetary space missions is the quantitative determination chemical composition surface material. The material (minerals, rocks, soils) yields fundamental information that can be used to answer scientific questions about formation and evolution body in particular Solar System general. We present a miniature time-of-flight type laser ablation/ionization mass spectrometer (LMS) demonstrate its capability measuring elemental mineralogical samples quantitatively by using...

The JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) of the European Space Agency (ESA) will investigate Jupiter and its icy Europa, Ganymede Callisto, with aim to better understand origin evolution our Solar System emergence life. Neutral gas Ion Mass spectrometer (NIM) is one six instruments Particle Environment Package (PEP) on board JUICE spacecraft. PEP measure neutral atoms molecules, ion population, electron population over an energy range covering from meV MeV. NIM instrument designed chemical...

The last decade witnessed considerable progress in the development of laser ablation/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LI-TOFMS). improvement both ablation ion sources employing femtosecond lasers and method coupling with analyser led to highly sensitive element isotope measurements, minimisation matrix effects, reduction various fractionation effects. This instrumental performance can be attributed technology accompanying commercialisation fs-laser systems, as well availability...