Realization and Design Aspects of Mini Laser Raman Spectroscope Electronics for Planetary Surface Exploration

Abstract

Mini Laser Raman Spectroscope (MLRS) is currently under development at LEOS-ISRO, which will be part of rover in the follow up missions to Moon and Mars. Amidst the variety of instruments that were flown or are to be flown in space missions, the instruments based on Raman Spectroscopy are one of the best-suited tools for analyzing minerals on planetary surfaces. This paper primarily focuses on the design requirements for realizing MLRS electronics. It discusses the wavelength stabilization aspects of the laser diode source (785 nm) and the CCD readout electronics designed to capture the relatively weak scattered Raman radiations. Also the paper sheds light on the realization aspects of the data acquisition system that will be used to characterize and verify the functionality of the instrument.

Keywords:

• Data acquisition
• Raman scattering
• Real time analysis
• Spectroscopy

Additional information

Notes on contributors

B. G. Kavya

B.G Kavya is pursuing her M tech in VLSI design and embedded system from Reva Institute of Technology which is affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belgaum, Karnataka. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from VTU, Belgaum, Karnataka. She is presently working as a project trainee toward the realization of a Mini Laser Raman Spectroscope (MLRS) at LEOS-ISRO.

Surya Menon

Surya Menon has obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Rajiv Gandhi Technical University, Bhopal. She has been working as a scientist in Infrared Laser Systems Division, Sensors Division Area of LEOS-ISRO since 2009. She is one of the electronics engineer for the LIBS payload to be flown on Chandrayaan-2 rover. She has also contributed as a Study Team member regarding the realization of Science Payloads for the first Indian Mars Mission in Nov, 2013. She is also working toward the realization of a Mini Laser Raman Spectroscope (MLRS). E-mail: [email protected]

V. L. N. Sridhar Raja

V.L.N. Sridhar Raja received his M. Tech degree in Laser Technology Programme from IIT-Kanpur in 2004 and M.Sc. degree in Physics from Acharya Nagarjuna University P.G. Centre, Nuzvid (Andhra Pradesh) in 2000. He has been working as a scientist in Infrared Laser Systems Division, Sensors Division Area of LEOS-ISRO since 2006. He was one of the team members of LLRI payload aboard Chandrayaan-1 mission and currently channeling the responsibility as a system-engineer for LIBS and LAP instruments for Chandrayaan-2 and Mars Mission respectively. His areas of interest include laser design engineering and realization of laser based instruments for space applications. E-mail: [email protected]

A. S. Laxmiprasad

A.S. Laxmiprasad received his Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Gulbarga University in 1983 and Master’s degree in Satellite Communication and Remote Sensing Engineering from IIT Kharagpur in 1984. He joined Sensors Division, ISAC in 1985 and since then he is associated with design and development of different types of attitude sensors and laser-based systems for spacecrafts. His current activities include Optical Inter Satellite Communication, Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS- Principal Investigator), Fiber Optics Gyroscope, Indigenous Laser Source Development, Miniature Earth Sensor and Sun Sensors. He is presently leading the Photonics Systems Group at LEOS. E-mail: [email protected]