Compact Laser for In-Situ Compositional Analysis

In response to NASA�s solicitation for light-weight and power efficient instruments that enable in situ compositional analysis, Q-Peak in partnership with the University of Hawaii proposes to develop a compact, robust, and efficient instrument to combine all laser based spectroscopies capable of performing imaging, Raman, Laser Induced Breakdown, Laser Induced Fluorescence and LIDAR The main advantage in using this suite of instruments is the collection of information from imaging to elemental composition of rock samples by simply directing a laser beam on remote targets of interest. Based on the success of the current Mars Science Laboratory rover instrument ChemCam, the first ever laser-based spectrographic system to be selected as an instrument on a NASA spacecraft, the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP) has developed and tested a prototype instrument. This new instrument is capable of at least 10,000 times greater sensitivity than the ChemCam instrument, allowing faster measurements up to 8 m away with a focused laser beam. This integrated, compact remote instrument is called the Compact integrated instrument for Remote Spectroscopy Analysis (CiiRSA). Replacing the existing laser with the Q-Peak proposed laser will reduce CiiRSA�s weight by 30 % and volume by 20 %. In Phase II, Q-Peak will design, develop and build a laser that will produce 5 mJ of energy in < 2 ns pulse duration at 523 nm and our partner HIGP will further develop compact and high resolution spectrograph. Both laser and spectrograph will be integrated into the CiiRSA instrument to make it lightweight, compact and efficient. We will detect organic and inorganic sample at 10 m standoff distance in Martian environment, earth atmospheric pressure, daylight.

NASA’s applications are; in LIBS/Raman/LIF used for planetary surface characterization, in lidar for atmospheric measurements of aerosol concentrations and distributions, in surface mapping for entry descend and landing of space craft, in precision ranging for autonomous rendezvous of space craft. When frequency upconverted to uv and deep-uv the laser can be used for example in the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer in the ExoMars mission for elemental analysis using laser desorption.

Commercial applications of the proposed laser are in portable LIBS systems for material characterization, monitoring of exhaust streams, profiling of metals, and detection of contamination in the environment. In defense market, it can be use as the Non-Lethal Laser Dazzler and in the medical field it can be used to treat Glaucoma in eyes.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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