A device combining a pulsed laser system with an Orbitrap mass analyser is well-suited for in situ exploration of prime astrobiological targets, such as Enceladus. Here a prototype of this instrument that is optimized for spaceflight applications demonstrates that this device could be used to characterize chemical biosignatures in future missions.
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References
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This is a summary of: Arevalo, R. Jr et al. Laser desorption mass spectrometry with an Orbitrap analyser for in situ astrobiology. Nat. Astron. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-022-01866-x (2023).
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A miniaturized laser desorption Orbitrap mass spectrometer for biosignature detection. Nat Astron 7, 250–251 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-022-01879-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-022-01879-6
