Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy as a Non-Destructive Technique for Mineral and Organic Detection in Carbonaceous Chondrites

With growing interest in asteroid sample return and remote sensing missions, the need for non-destructive, mineral and organic detection is paramount. Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy is a time efficient, non-destructive instrument that is capable of identifying mineral and organic constituents within a rock sample. To investigate the capabilities of LIF on asteroid material, maps and point analyses of millimeter-sized features were collected within carbonaceous chondrite samples. A Raman spectrometer and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) capabilities were used to collect maps of the same features for comparison. The Royal Ontario Museum provided four carbonaceous chondrite samples for analyses. Two of these samples were classified during this study and full petrographic and geochemical information are discussed in this work. Results indicate LIF is a useful tool for future asteroid sample return missions or laboratory investigation where non-destructive mineral and organic detection techniques are needed.