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Session: Stars, Planets and the Interstellar Medium

Name: Ms. Zoi Filiou (National & Kapodistrian Univ. of Athens)
Coauthors: No coauthors were included.
Type: Poster
Title: Astrochemical and astrobiological applications of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)
Abstract:

Filiou Zoi1, Iliadou Anastasia2, Chondrokouki Maria3, Stavrakakis Hector-Andreas3,4, Antonopoulou-Athera Niki3, Gazeas Kosmas1, Papadopoulos Pantelis2, Chatzitheodoridis Elias3,4 1Section of Astrophysics, Astronomy and Mechanics, Department of Physics, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-15784, Zografos, Athens, Greece 2Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece 3Department of Geological Sciences, School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, 15772, Greece 4Network of Researchers on the Chemical Evolution of Life (NoRCEL), Leeds, UK Abstract Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is a spectroscopy technique that is used to define the chemical composition of materials. It is based on high-power laser pulses of short duration that hit the sample and can sublimate or evaporate it. Subsequently, the vapor gets ionized forming plasma which emits characteristic spectrum based on the sample’s chemical composition. The emission spectrum can offer qualitative and has been used in geology for the detection of major and trace elements to classify rocks and shed light on their geologic origin formation. In 2012, it became a part of the scientific equipment of the “Curiosity” rover that landed on Mars, since this experimental set-up stands out for its flexibility. Especially for a qualitative characterization, LIBS maintains both the advantages of high sensitivity and fast response without the need for sample preparation. This is ideal for deep space exploration, planetary surface analysis as it is currently happening on Mars and space object recognition. Specifically, the recognition of asteroids and meteorites can be beneficial for the calculation of their mass and as a result the prediction of their trajectory along with a better understanding of the chemical and physical procedures that the object went through during its lifetime. In our lab, we develop a LIBS instrument, which we use in the fields of geology and planetary sciences for the detection of trace elements and we aim at astrobiological and astrochemical applications. To explore the capabilities of LIBS in astrochemistry, we are investigating the possibility of detecting deuterium to hydrogen ratios (D/H), as well as elements of low atomic number elements, such as lithium (Li). Lithium could hold key information about a star’s history or planet-harbouring if combined with the trend of metal-rich stars being orbited by giant planets and models about accretion of planetesimals or entire planets. The D/H ratio on the other hand, can provide information about the origin of water on celestial bodies and their atmospheres. Most of the above studies are based on the development and testing of LIBS on meteorites, or reference minerals and rocks which are also used to calibrate the technique for quantification purposes. The same methods are investigated on terrestrial rocks and minerals (i.e., phengitic muscovite, garnet, Na-clinopyroxene and Na-amphibole), to define their geological evolution in various geotectonic environments, in which Li also plays an important role as a signature of these processes. By this contribution, we expect that we will provide insights into the capabilities of LIBS in use for space missions, but also to enhance the quantification capabilities of the technique.