Accurate Xe isotope measurement using JPL ion trap.

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Planetary Science
• Mass Spectrometry

Background:

• Accurate isotopic analysis is crucial for understanding planetary atmospheres and geological processes.
• Existing methods may lack the sensitivity or portability required for in-situ analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a reproducible method for compositional analysis of Xenon (Xe) isotope mixtures.
• To assess the performance of a miniature Jet Propulsion Laboratory Quadrupole Ion Trap (JPL-QIT) for isotopic analysis.
• To evaluate the suitability of the device for planetary exploration applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a miniature JPL-QIT for compositional analysis of Xe isotope mixtures.
• Validated instrumental improvements for long-term operational stability under varying conditions.
• Developed a scalable replica fitting method for data analysis, using peak areas as relative isotopic abundance descriptors.

Main Results:

• Achieved accuracy better than 0.07% when verifying measured isotopic compositions against commercial standards.
• Demonstrated reproducible and accurate analysis of different Xe isotope mixtures.
• Confirmed the device's suitability for certifying trace amounts of isotopes.

Conclusions:

• The miniature JPL-QIT provides a robust platform for accurate Xe isotope analysis.
• The developed methods enable precise quantification of isotopic compositions, even in complex mixtures.
• The low-power, low-mass device is well-suited for in-situ quantitative analysis in planetary atmospheric samples.