LIBS and LAMIS for Planetary Exploration
Sciencetech Inc. (SCI) has been awarded funding by the Canadian Space Agency to build a Custom Laser Ablation Elemental Isotopic Spectrometer prototype.
The LABEISS System is a new project that Sciencetech (SCI) will carry out with support from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) for planetary exploration with a first phase value of approximately USD$350,000. The project will be developed in collaboration with the Planetary Instrument Laboratory (PIL) at York University. SCI’s in-house team of designers and engineers have decades of combined experience over 250 years in the fields of optical spectroscopy and solar simulation. The proprietary line of Modular Instruments built up over the past 35 years developing innovative spectroscopic systems makes SCI an ideal choice for “custom” or “semi-custom” instrumentation, minimizing costs and development time by using already designed and often off-the-shelf modules.
What is a LABEISS system?
The LABEISS system combines Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopic (LIBS) system and a Laser Ablation Molecular Isotopic Spectroscopy (LAMIS), both based on the spectra seen when a targeted sample is vaporized by a high energy laser pulse. These two technologies when combined provide multi-element molecular and isotopic analysis, at a distance, and without sample preparation for a large number of molecular components, including those with biological significance.
How will the LABEISS system be used for the Canadian Space Agency?
The unique characteristics of the spectroscopic system could be used for general planetary exploration, and in particular for future initiatives under the Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program (LEAP) that prepares Canada’s space sector for lunar exploration. In addition, there is a significant potential for commercial applications here on earth.
Scientific reference:
COMBINED MEASUREMENTS BY LASER INDUCED BREAKDOWN SPECTROSCOPY AND LASER INDUCED MOLECULAR SPECTROMETRY FOR PLANETARY EXPLORATION. E. A. Lalla1, M. G. Daly1, A. Quaglia2, S. Walker2, G. Flynn2, G. Levy2, and M. Konstantinidis1. 1Department of Earth & Space Science & Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, (elalla@yorku.ca). 2Sciencetech Inc, 1450 Global Drive, London, Ontario, Canada (www.sciencetech-inc.com). 3Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College St. Toronto, Canada.