Lunar Soil Noble Gas Isotope Testing with Staged Capture and Dilution
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no established method in China for the high-precision analysis of noble gases (helium, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon) in lunar soil that minimizes the usage of lunar soil samples and meets stringent measurement requirements.
Innovation Solution
A test device and method that includes a carbon dioxide laser ultra-high vacuum sample melting system, zirconium-aluminum getters, molecular pumps, gas capture units, and a noble gas mass spectrometer, connected through pipelines with control valves, to separate and measure noble gases in lunar soil samples efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the original method for measuring noble gases in earth samples is used on lunar soil samples, then the measurement can be performed with standard equipment, but the helium concentration exceeds the measurable range of the noble gas mass spectrometer while xenon isotope analysis conditions are satisfied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement process into multiple stages: first measuring xenon isotopes when conditions are satisfied, then using a dilution tank to reduce helium concentration before subsequent measurements. This segmentation allows each noble gas to be measured under appropriate conditions without interference from others.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dilution tank as an intermediary component between the sample and the mass spectrometer. This intermediary device controls the dilution ratio of helium, enabling the instrument to measure helium concentration within its measurable range while maintaining accurate xenon isotope analysis capabilities.
2Loss of information
If lunar soil samples are used for noble gas analysis, then valuable isotope and abundance information can be obtained, but the quantity of lunar soil samples required is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the mass spectrometer, including measurement pressure, electron multiplier voltage, and dilution ratio, to optimize the detection sensitivity for different noble gases. This allows accurate measurement with minimal sample quantities by adjusting instrument parameters rather than increasing sample amount.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method allows for precise measurement of noble gas isotopes and abundances in lunar soil samples using minimal sample quantities, enhancing experimental efficiency and enabling comparison of noble gas isotope systems within the same sample.
Implementation Method 1
carbon dioxide laser ultra-high vacuum sample melting system
Implementation Method 2
sample melting system
Implementation Method 3
first zirconium-aluminum getter, a second zirconium-aluminum getter
Implementation Method 4
vacuum dry pump, a first molecular pump, a second molecular pump
Implementation Method 5
noble gas mass spectrometer
Implementation Method 6
noble gas mass spectrometer
Implementation Method 7
gas capture units
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a test device and a test method for isotope measurement of noble gases in lunar soil. The testing device includes a carbon dioxide laser ultra-high vacuum sample melting system, zirconium-aluminum getters, a vacuum dry pump, a first molecular pump, a second molecular pump, a neon gas capture unit, an argon gas capture unit, an argon krypton-xenon capture unit, a dilution tank, a sputtering ion pump and a noble gas mass spectrometer which are connected through pipelines, and each pipeline and each component are connected through a specific way; in addition, control valves for controlling the opening and closing of the pipelines are installed on the connection path between each pipeline and each component, and the disclosure also provides a matching test method.