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Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Synchrotron X-ray Microdiffraction and Fluorescence Imaging of Mineral and Rock Samples
Published on: June 19, 2018
The first X-ray diffraction measurements on Mars
David Bish1, David Blake2, David Vaniman3
1Geological Sciences, Indiana University, 1001 E. 10th Street, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
The Curiosity rover
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Geology
- Mineralogy
Background:
- The Mars Science Laboratory mission utilizes the Curiosity rover to explore Gale crater and Mount Sharp.
- The Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) instrument is key for analyzing Martian geological samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the mineralogy and chemical composition of Martian rock and soil samples using the CheMin instrument.
- To investigate evidence of past aqueous alteration in Gale crater's sedimentary rocks.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the CheMin instrument, a miniaturized X-ray diffraction/X-ray fluorescence (XRD/XRF) system.
- Performed Rietveld and full-pattern analysis on XRD data from soil, mudstone, and sandstone samples.
- Employed onboard standards for instrument calibration.
Main Results:
- Revealed complex mineralogy in analyzed samples, including contributions from igneous rocks, amorphous materials, and aqueous alteration.
- Identified phyllosilicates in mudstone samples, indicating alteration by liquid water.
- Obtained quantitative mineralogy and unit-cell parameters for major phases.
Conclusions:
- Martian mudstones in Gale crater show evidence of formation in the presence of liquid water.
- CheMin's analysis provides detailed insights into Mars' geological history and water-rock interactions.
- Rietveld refinements allow for inference of mineral and amorphous component chemical compositions.
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