Opto-mechanical design and verification of the MOMA UV laser source for the ExoMars 2020 mission

R. Kalms; A. Büttner; M. Ernst; M. Hunnekuhl; L. Willemsen; P. Weßels; D. Kracht; J. Neumann

doi:10.1117/12.2509904

7 March 2019 Opto-mechanical design and verification of the MOMA UV laser source for the ExoMars 2020 mission

R. Kalms, A. Büttner, M. Ernst, M. Hunnekuhl, L. Willemsen, P. Weßels, D. Kracht, J. Neumann

Proceedings Volume 10896, Solid State Lasers XXVIII: Technology and Devices; 108961Y (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2509904
Event: SPIE LASE, 2019, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

For the ESA/Roscosmos ExoMars 2020 mission a pulsed UV laser source as part of the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) instrument was developed, assembled and thoroughly tested concerning thermal, vibrational and shock loads. The characterization was performed before and after integration to a mass spectrometer, which serves as the detector for ionized fragments desorbed from the Martian soil samples due to UV irradiation. The opto-mechanical design of the flight model and the verification of its suitability for the mission requirements are presented here. A longitudinally pumped, passively Q-switched oscillator emits bursts of up to 50 pulses with an output energy of 1.1 mJ at 1064 nm and an intra-burst repetition rate of 100 Hz. Via a two-stage frequency quadrupling with a KTP and a BBO crystal this radiation is converted to 1.5 ns long pulses at 266 nm with an output energy of 130 μJ which can be decreased by temperature tuning of the nonlinear crystals to less than 10% of the nominal energy. The laser head also comprises beam shaping and steering optics to adjust the spot size and position on the sample and the capability to measure the UV energy and the pulse release time. The complex opto-mechanical design is realized within an envelope of less than 220×57×45 mm³ and has a total mass of less than 220 g. To minimize negative effects of the harsh Martian environment on the coatings the laser head is enclosed in a hermetically sealed housing filled with dry synthetic air.

Citation Download Citation

R. Kalms, A. Büttner, M. Ernst, M. Hunnekuhl, L. Willemsen, P. Weßels, D. Kracht, and J. Neumann "Opto-mechanical design and verification of the MOMA UV laser source for the ExoMars 2020 mission", Proc. SPIE 10896, Solid State Lasers XXVIII: Technology and Devices, 108961Y (7 March 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2509904

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available