Investigation of weathering rinds on Earth and Mars by depth selective Mossbauer spectroscopy

Citation

Fleischer I, Klingelhöfer G, Rodionov DS & Schröder C (2007) Investigation of weathering rinds on Earth and Mars by depth selective Mossbauer spectroscopy. 17th Annual V.M. Goldschmidt Conference, Cologne, Germany August 2007, Cologne, 19/08/2007 - 24/08/2007. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 71 (S15), pp. A284-A284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2007.06.015

Abstract
The two Mars Exploration Rovers, “Spirit” and “Opportunity”, each carry a miniaturised Mössbauer spectrometer (MIMOS II). MIMOS II operates in backscattering geometry and can obtain 14.4 keV gamma ray spectra and 6.4 keV X-ray spectra simultaneously. Comparing 14.4 keV and 6.4 keV spectra yields depth selective information about a sample: 14.4 keV gamma rays have a larger escape depth from a sample than 6.4 keV X-rays because of their higher energy. As a consequence, a 6.4 keV spectrum contains more information about the near-surface part of a sample than a 14.4 keV spectrum. This allows for the detection and characterization of coatings such as weathering rinds without abrading the surface of the sample.

Notes
Output Type: Meeting Abstract

Journal
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta: Volume 71, Issue S15