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Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
Neutron spectrometers that can analyze the neutron flux based on more than the typical three energy channels (thermal, epithermal, and fast) require new baseline spectra references for identifying materials. Simulated reference spectra will be produced and directly applied to novel spectrometer designs for the development of a future instrument.
The simulated spectra will determine the performance requirements to detect and localize a wide variety of minerals in-situ using neutron spectrometers during future lunar missions. This effort builds upon GRC expertise validating neutron spectroscopy methods in NASA SMD’s AEC project, as well as in-house expertise in geology and particle physics. The inclusion of the results of this study will further mature these concepts, increasing the likelihood for future funding through SMD and STMD. If successful, we plan on proposing to MATISSE, DALI, and other instrumentation development opportunities.
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