title: Raman spectroscopy on Mars: identification of geological and bio-geological signatures in Martian analogues using miniaturized Raman spectrometers.
abstract: The first Raman spectrometers to be used for in situ analysis of planetary material will be launched as part of powerful, rover-based analytical laboratories within the next 6 years. There are a number of significant challenges associated with building spectrometers for space applications, including limited volume, power and mass budgets, the need to operate in harsh environments and the need to operate independently and intelligently for long periods of time (due to communication limitations). Here, we give an overview of the technical capabilities of the Raman instruments planned for future planetary missions and give a review of the preparatory work being pursued to ensure that such instruments are operated successfully and optimally. This includes analysis of extremophile samples containing pigments associated with biological processes, synthetic materials which incorporate biological material within a mineral matrix, planetary analogues containing low levels of reduced carbon and samples coated with desert varnish that incorporate both geo-markers and biomarkers. We discuss the scientific importance of each sample type and the challenges using portable/flight-prototype instrumentation. We also report on technical development work undertaken to enable the next generation of Raman instruments to reach higher levels of sensitivity and operational efficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Space Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK ian.hutchinson@leicester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Ian B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Space Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ingley
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Space Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
authors.forename: Howell G M
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Space Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
authors.forename: Liam
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Space Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McHugh
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Space Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK Department of Inorganic Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry Institute (B6c), University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Cedric
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Malherbe
authors.affiliation: Department of Geology & Petroleum Geology, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parnell
keywords: Raman spectroscopy; astrobiology; biomolecular signatures; carbonaceous matter; planetary exploration; portable Raman