Journal Article

Development and Testing of a Compact Remote Time-Gated Raman Spectrometer for In Situ Lunar Exploration

Wen, Daoyuantian, Xie, Jianan, Liu, Xiangfeng, Ling, Zongcheng, He, Zhiping, Zhao, Haiting, Xu, Weiming, Jiang, Ziqing, Shu, Rong, Wang, Jianyu, Zhang, Zhenqiang

2025

Overview

Raman spectroscopy is capable of precisely identifying and analyzing the composition and properties of samples collected from the lunar surface, providing crucial data support for lunar scientific research. However, in situ Raman spectroscopy on the lunar surface faces challenges such as weak Raman scattering from targets, alongside requirements for lightweight and long-distance detection. To address these challenges, time-gated Raman spectroscopy (TG-LRS) based on a passively Q-switched pulsed laser and a linear intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD), which enable simultaneous signal amplification and background suppression, has been developed to evaluate the impact of key operational parameters on Raman signal detection and to explore miniaturization optimization. The TG-LRS system includes a 40 mm zoom telescope, a passively Q-switched 532 nm pulsed laser, a fiber optic delay line, a miniature spectrometer, and a linear ICCD detector. It achieves an electronic gating width under 20 ns. Within a detection range of 1.1–3.0 m, the optimal delay time varies linearly from 20 to 33 ns. Raman signal intensity increases with image intensifier gain, while the signal-to-noise ratio peaks at a gain range of 800–900 V before declining. Furthermore, the effects of focal depth, telescope aperture, laser energy, and integration time were studied. The Raman spectra of lunar minerals were successfully obtained in the lab, confirming the system’s ability to suppress solar background light. This demonstrates the feasibility of in situ Raman spectroscopy on the lunar surface and offers strong technical support for future missions.

• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Subject: Analysis / Charge coupled devices / Delay lines / Delay time / Detectors / Discovery and exploration / Efficiency / Equipment and supplies / Fiber optics / image intensifier / Image intensifiers / in situ lunar exploration / Lasers / Light / Lunar exploration / Lunar surface / Mars / Minerals / Moon / Optimization / Pulsed lasers / Q switched lasers / Raman spectra / Raman spectroscopy / Raman, Chandrasekhara V / Signal detection / Signal to noise ratio / Simultaneous signals / Space exploration / Space missions / Spectroscopy / Spectrum analysis / Telescope / Telescopes / time-gated