title: Ion trap mass spectrometry on a comet nucleus: the Ptolemy instrument and the Rosetta space mission.
abstract: In May 2014, the Rosetta spacecraft is scheduled to rendezvous with the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko ('67P'). One of the instruments on board the 'Lander' which will descend on to the surface of the comet is a miniaturised GC/MS system that incorporates an ion trap mass spectrometer, specially developed for isotope ratio analysis. This article describes the development and optimisation of the ion trap for this unique application, and presents a summary of the range of pre-programmed experiments that will contribute to the characterisation of the solid and volatile cometary materials.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Sciences, Ingram Building, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NH, UK. J.F.J.Todd@kent.ac.uk
authors.forename: John F J
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.forename: Simeon J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: Ian P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Geraint H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Morse
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sheridan
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Leese
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maynard
authors.forename: Suzanne T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Colin T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Pillinger
authors.forename: Duncan L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Drummond
authors.forename: Samantha C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Heys
authors.forename: S Ejaz
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Huq
authors.forename: Barry J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kent
authors.forename: Eric C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Sawyer
authors.forename: Martin S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Whalley
authors.forename: Nicholas R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Waltham