The ExoMars Rover Instrument Suite
RLS - Raman Spectrometer
The Raman instrument provides a powerful tool for the definitive identification and characterisation of minerals and biomarkers. Raman spectroscopy is sensitive to the composition and structure of any mineral or organic compound. This capability provides direct information of potential organic compounds that can be related with present or past signatures of life on Mars as well as general mineralogical information for igneous, metamorphous, and sedimentary processes, especially water-related geo-processes.
The Raman spectrometer will be used:
Raman will also support the scientific measurements by correlating its spectral information with other spectroscopic and imaging instruments such as the MicrOmega Infrared Spectrometer. Furthermore, the Raman instrument is capable of measuring the sample at a fast-pace (within minutes) in order to release the selected sample for further analysis by other ExoMars instruments (e.g. the MOMA instrument).
The Raman instrument will collect and analyse the scattered light emitted by a laser on a sample (e.g. Martian rock). The spectral information received by the spectrometer (number of peaks, position and relative intensities) is determined by the molecular structure and composition of a compound, enabling the identification and characterisation of the Martian molecules, minerals and rocks. This method allows analysing the sample in a non-destructive way, which means that the sample remains intact for further analysis by other instruments.
The Raman instrument consists of three main units, the optical head, the spectrometer unit and the electronics unit, which are interconnected by an optical and electrical harness.
The flight model of the Raman spectrometer weighs slightly over 2kg in total including all necessary interconnecting harnesses, and consumes as little as ~30W of electrical power during operation.
The instrument is currently in its design phase during which several sub-system prototypes and breadboards have been established and tested. Testing includes breadboard testing under simulated Martian conditions, sub-system prototype performance, environmental assessment (thermal, vibration and radiation tests) as well as field tests.