Maximizing Scientific Exploitation of Raman Spectroscopy With A.C.M.E. (Atmospheric Chamber for Measurements in Environment)

Abstract

The Atmospheric Chamber for Measurements in Environment (A.C.M.E.) provides a versatile and highly controlled environ-ment for simulating planetary conditions, supporting the testing and calibration of instruments for planetary exploration. Inthis study, we utilized A.C.M.E. to evaluate the performance of a novel hollow-core fiber (HCF) Raman gas sensor prototypedeveloped by the ERICA research team. By integrating the HCF sensor with a dedicated spectrometer, we confirmed that Ramanspectrometers, such as the Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS), could be used for atmospheric gas analysis in future planetarymissions, expanding their applications beyond mineralogical studies. By using the A.C.M.E. chamber to produce representativegas mixtures, this work analytically demonstrated that, once optimized, the HCF sensor prototype could be potentially used toinvestigate the atmosphere of both Mars and Venus in future planetary missions. These findings underscore the critical role ofatmospheric chambers like A.C.M.E. in advancing technologies for future planetary exploration missions.