A miniature XRD/XRF instrument for in-situ characterization of Martian soils and rocks

In the context of the exploration of Mars, the availability of an instrument for in-situ mineralogical characterization of the surface of the planet is of the highest importance. We are developing a miniature X-ray diffraction / fluorescence instrument for this specific purpose. The concept of the instrument is based on the use of a single CCD detector exposed directly to the X-rays diffracted and fluoresced by a sample. A first prototype has been realized to test the concept of simultaneous XRD and XRF measurement with a single CCD detector. This paper presents the result obtained after refinement of this instrument. The capability of the technique has been proven. Further developments are planned to propose a miniature XRD/XRF instrument for planetary exploration. The concept utilized in this project could find a range cg applications as laboratory instruments or portable instruments.