Future astrobiology missions will focus on planets with significant astrochemical or potential astrobiological features, such as small, primitive bodies and the icy moons of the outer planets that may host diverse organic compounds. We have made significant progress in the laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry area with advancement in the two-step laser tandem mass spectrometer (L2MS) instrument to deconvolve complex organic signatures. In this paper we will describe our development effort on a new laser architecture for the L2MS instrument. The laser provides two discrete mid-infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths on a single laser bench with a straightforward path toward space deployment.

Date Published: 13 May 2016
PDF: 6 pages
Proc. SPIE 9834, Laser Technology for Defense and Security XII, 983409 (13 May 2016); doi: 10.1117/12.2227141

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9834:
Laser Technology for Defense and Security XII
Mark Dubinskii; Stephen G. Post, Editor(s)