Simulation of a miniature, low-power time-of-flight mass spectrometer for in situ analysis of planetary atmospheres

Todd T. King; Stephanie A. Getty; Patrick A. Roman; Federico A. Herrero; Hollis H. Jones; Duncan M. Kahle; Bernard Lynch; George Suárez; William B. Brinckerhoff; Paul R. Mahaffy

doi:10.1117/12.780113

30 April 2008 Simulation of a miniature, low-power time-of-flight mass spectrometer for in situ analysis of planetary atmospheres

Todd T. King, Stephanie A. Getty, Patrick A. Roman, Federico A. Herrero, Hollis H. Jones, Duncan M. Kahle, Bernard Lynch, George Suárez, William B. Brinckerhoff, Paul R. Mahaffy

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6959, Micro (MEMS) and Nanotechnologies for Space, Defense, and Security II; 69590E (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.780113
Event: SPIE Defense and Security Symposium, 2008, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

We are implementing nano- and micro-technologies to develop a miniaturized electron impact ionization mass spectrometer for planetary science. Microfabrication technology is used to fabricate the ion and electron optics, and a carbon nanotube (CNT) cathode is used to generate the ionizing electron beam. Future NASA planetary science missions demand miniaturized, low power mass spectrometers that exhibit high resolution and sensitivity to search for evidence of past and present habitability on the surface and in the atmosphere of priority targets such as Mars, Titan, Enceladus, Venus, Europa, and short-period comets. Toward this objective, we are developing a miniature, high resolution reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer (Mini TOF-MS) that features a low-power CNT field emission electron impact ionization source and microfabricated ion optics and reflectron mass analyzer in a parallel-plate geometry that is scalable. Charged particle electrodynamic modeling (SIMION 8.0.4) is employed to guide the iterative design of electron and ion optic components and to characterize the overall performance of the Mini TOF-MS device via simulation. Miniature (< 1000 cm³) TOF-MS designs (ion source, mass analyzer, detector only) demonstrate simulated mass resolutions > 600 at sensitivity levels on the order of 10^-3 cps/molecule N₂/cc while consuming 1.3 W of power and are comparable to current spaceflight mass spectrometers. Higher performance designs have also been simulated and indicate mass resolutions ~1000, though at the expense of sensitivity and instrument volume.

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Todd T. King, Stephanie A. Getty, Patrick A. Roman, Federico A. Herrero, Hollis H. Jones, Duncan M. Kahle, Bernard Lynch, George Suárez, William B. Brinckerhoff, and Paul R. Mahaffy "Simulation of a miniature, low-power time-of-flight mass spectrometer for in situ analysis of planetary atmospheres", Proc. SPIE 6959, Micro (MEMS) and Nanotechnologies for Space, Defense, and Security II, 69590E (30 April 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.780113

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