Title :
Use of mercuric iodide X-ray detectors with alpha backscattering spectrometers for space applications
Author :
Iwanczyk, J.S. ; Wang, Y.J. ; Dorri, N. ; Dabrowski, A.J. ; Economou, T.E. ; Turkevich, A.L.
Author_Institution :
Xsirius Inc., Marina del Rey, CA, USA
fDate :
4/1/1991 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
The authors present X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectra of different extraterrestrial samples taken with a mercuric iodide (HgI2) spectrometer inserted into all alpha backscattering instrument identical to that used in the Soviet Phobos mission. The results obtained with the HgI2 ambient temperature detector are compared with those obtained using all Si(Li) cryogenically cooled detector. Efforts to design all optimized instrument for space application are also described. The results presented indicate that the energy resolution and sensitivity of HgI2 detectors are adequate to meet the performance needs of a number of proposed space applications, particularly those in which cooled silicon X-ray detectors are impractical or even not usable, such as for the target science programs on geoscience opportunities for lunar surface, Mars surface, and other comet and planetary missions being planned by NASA and ESA
Keywords :
X-ray detection and measurement; X-ray fluorescence analysis; alpha-particle spectrometers; astronomical instruments; backscatter; mercury compounds; scintillation counters; ESA; HgI2; Mars surface; NASA; Phobos mission; Si(Li) cryogenically cooled detector; X-ray detectors; X-ray fluorescence; XRF; alpha backscattering spectrometers; ambient temperature detector; astronomy; chemical analysis technique; comet; energy resolution; extraterrestrial samples; geoscience opportunities; optimized instrument; planetary missions; sensitivity; space applications; Backscatter; Design optimization; Energy resolution; Fluorescence; Instruments; Space cooling; Spectroscopy; Temperature sensors; X-ray detection; X-ray detectors;
Journal_Title :
Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on
