Software Development for a Diode Laser Spectrometer Amlam Niragire Dr. Edmond Wilson Dr. Chih-Hao Wu

Introduction For a long time, scientists have wondered about the possibility of life on Mars A lot of research has been conducted yet there is no answer Recently, A team of NASA scientists found evidence of past water movement by studying a Martian meteorite ( Yamato ) At Harding, we have been developing a robotic vehicle for space missions specifically in the search for science for life in the solar system Laser absorption spectrometry (LAS) techniques

The Robot Measurement Factors: -Laser to detector distance -Laser source temperature -Current through the laser Laser Source Detector

The Robot

Software Related Hardware Computer NI cDAQ embedded controller Laser temperature controller Detector temperature controller LaserDetector

Control Panel Generate control signals Acquire and save data Provide feedback

Data DATA

Frequency Study Limited resolution as modulation frequency increases

Temperature Study

Distance study Sensitivity increases with distance

Data analysis Averaging

Averaging Base line

Data analysis Averaging Base line Inverting

Data analysis The area under the curve is proportional to the gas concentration

What’s next? Software created worked very well Provide insight Gained experience Field tests to be carried out this Spring and Summer Field tests will focus on measuring water vapor, methane, and CO 2

Acknowledgement NASA EPSCoR Arkansas Space Grant Consortium

Any Questions ? THANK YOU