A Revolution in Electron Spectrometers for Biosignature Detection in Minerals

Studies of minerals and meteorites using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) have demonstrated the sensitivity of XPS and its ability to deliver both qualitative and quantitative information on the chemical state of detected elements. In recent experiments using an imaging spectromicroscopy system at the Aladdin storage ring, sub-micron images of embedded organic structures in mineral specimens have been resolved. This combination of chemical specificity with spatial resolution offers a major advance in the search for residual biomarkers. Until recently there were no feasible ways to develop a plausible planetary version of either an XPS or photoelectron microscopy system. Surface/Interface Inc. proposes the key technology development needed to realize a miniaturized photoelectron spectrometer with potentially sub-micron spatial resolution. This spectrometer would be based on a unique development in charged particle energy analyzers that exhibit a very high multiplex advantage proposed by Dr. M. Kelly at Stanford. This proposal would enable an, in-situ, XPS systems with a 2500 fold reduction in volume, power and mass as compared to laboratory systems. This 1.5 to 5 kg instrument will revolutionize in-situ chemical analysis of solid surface and subsurface samples with unique sensitivity for organic compounds and a wide range of applicability to OSS programs.