Keresztes Schmidt, Peter (2025). Development of a Laser Ionisation Mass Spectrometer for In-Situ Investigations on the Lunar Surface. (Thesis). Universität Bern, Bern
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25keresztes-schmidt_p.pdf - Thesis Available under License Creative Commons: Attribution (CC-BY 4.0). Download (48MB) | Preview |
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the in-situ exploration of the Moon, particularly in the lunar south pole region, which is into planetary formation and in-situ resource utilisation. As part of these efforts, the University of Bern has been invited by NASA to develop and provide a scientific instrument for the sensitive chemical analysis of lunar regolith. This thesis describes the development of the CLPS-LIMS instrument, a Laser Ionisation Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer designed for deployment on the lunar surface through NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) programme. The instrument aims to perform high-sensitivity element and isotope analysis of lunar regolith, aiding in the understanding of its composition and evolution. A key aspect of this thesis has been the prototype development to validate the measurement technique that will be implemented in the flight instrument. This involved the selection and testing of the laser source, a critical component for laser ablation ionisation and the initial design of the laser optical system, integrating the laser source with the laboratory mass analyser. Preliminary tests using lunar regolith simulant materials were performed which revealed challenges in sample handling and required modifications to the mass analyser to ensure compatibility with lunar regolith analysis. Beyond prototype development, significant contributions were made to the design of the flight version of CLPS-LIMS. These include studies defining the requirements for the instrument’s sample handling system, ensuring it can prepare and deliver lunar regolith samples effectively for LIMS analysis. The compatibility between the sample handling system and the LIMS analysis process has been validated, confirming that regolith samples can be successfully analysed under the expected mission conditions. Additionally, work was carried out on the commissioning of the CLPS-LIMS engineering model, focusing on the development of ground support equipment (both hardware and software) to facilitate the integration and testing of engineering-quality subsystems into a fully functional instrument. Finally, during an end-to-end test of the engineering model, measurements on two prospective reference materials selected for flight were successfully performed. These tests demonstrated the overall functionality of the instrument, providing confidence in its readiness for future lunar deployment. Through the presented efforts, the CLPS-LIMS instrument has undergone extensive development and validation, ensuring its capability to deliver high-quality in-situ chemical analyses of the lunar surface, supporting upcoming lunar exploration missions.
| Item Type: | Thesis |
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| Dissertation Type: | Cumulative |
| Date of Defense: | 2 May 2025 |
| Subjects: | 500 Science > 520 Astronomy 500 Science > 530 Physics 600 Technology > 620 Engineering |
| Institute / Center: | 08 Faculty of Science > Physics Institute |
| Depositing User: | Hammer Igor |
| Date Deposited: | 25 Jul 2025 14:47 |
| Last Modified: | 25 Jul 2025 14:47 |
| URI: | https://boristheses.unibe.ch/id/eprint/6515 |
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