A High Performance, Low Mass, XPS for Biosignature Detection

The main innovation is a new class of electron spectrometers with significant improvement in detector efficiency that results in a system with a 50x performance improvement over current technology. The analyzer design is based on an electric dispersion and an immersion front-end optic. The improved performance allows a low mass, low power requirement, chemical analysis tool suitable for planetary missions. This tool is suitable for understanding the chemistry of geophysical materials and can detect signs of life or pre-biotic processes. The ability to determine chemical state in addition to elemental composition of materials with no a priori knowledge of the materials provides a robust experimental capability for extracting information in situations where the environment is not totally known. A second innovation involves using a new sample access technology that eliminates valves or pumping from the Mars atmosphere. The XPS tool input only needs to be placed 1 mm from the sample area of interest. This greatly simplifies ease of use, makes sample introduction simple and improves reliability. With, or without, the new sample system, the goal of the program will be a prototype XPS with a mass less than 10 kg that consumes less than 10 watts.