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Turkevich, A. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Turkevich, A. L..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1992

An Alpha-p-x Analytical Instrument for Lunar Resource Investigations

An instrument using alpha backscattering, alpha-proton nuclear reactions, and x-ray production by alpha particles and other auxiliary sources can be used on lunar landers to provide detailed analytical information concerning the lunar surface material. This information is important scientifically and can be the basis for utilizing efficiently lunar resources to build lunar colonies in the future. This alpha particle instrument uses radioactive isotopes, silicon detectors for the alpha and proton modes, and mercuric iodide detectors operating at room temperature for the x-ray mode. The alpha and proton modes of the instrument can provide an analysis for all elements (except hydrogen) present in amounts greater than about 1 percent by atom. These modes have excellent sensitivity and accuracy for the lighter elements, in particular, directly determining the amount of oxygen in the lunar soil. This is an element of paramount significance for the lunar resource mission. The x-ray mode makes possible a determination of Ti, Fe, and other important metals with even greater accuracy. In general, the x-ray mode provides increased sensitivity for heavier elements, in many cases achieving a sensitivity of several hundred ppm.

Economou, T. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Room-temperature mercuric iodide spectrometry for low-energy X-rays

A discussion of the limits of energy resolution in different energy ranges is given. The energy resolution of a spectrometer is analyzed in terms of the parameters characterizing the crystal, the detector, and the amplification electronics. A high-resolution room-temperature HgI2 spectrometry system was used to measure low-energy X-ray fluorescence spectra. For the MgK-alpha X-ray line the measured resolution was 245 eV (fwhm); the electronic noise linewidth of the system was 225 eV. Alpha-particles were used to excite X-ray fluorescence from low-Z elements separately or in combination. The shape of the photopeaks in the spectra is discussed.

Kusmiss, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Cryogenic particle collection on a cometary mission

The present investigation is concerned with research related to the design of a method for capturing effectively particulate matter and volatiles from the tail of a comet for the purpose of chemical analysis. It is envisaged to conduct a space mission with a means of propulsion which would make it possible to maneuver the space probe into the coma of the comet. The collecting medium has to be chemically inert and easily distinguishable from the particles being collected. It is proposed to employ a film of solid xenon at a temperature of 65 K as the collecting medium. Sublimation of this film and the resultant pressure will be used to concentrate the particles on a small area suitable for analysis. Attention is given to the laboratory apparatus, the experimental work, the experimental results, and the cryogenic requirements for a space mission.

Szara, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Performance of room temperature mercuric iodide /HgI2/ detectors in the ultralow-energy X-ray region

Experiments have been done to study the performance of mercuric iodide (HgI2) detectors in the ultralow-energy X-ray region. Energy resolution values of 245 eV (FWHM) for the Mg K-alpha X-ray line at 1.25 keV and 225 eV (FWHM) for the electronic noise linewidth have been obtained for an HgI2 detector with painted carbon contacts using a pulsed-light feedback preamplifier; the whole system was operated at room temperature. The resolution values in the ultralow-energy region are still limited by electronic noise of the system. In an attempt to minimize X-ray attenuation in the front contact, detectors were prepared with thin evaporated Pd contacts. These detectors show a pronounced low-energy tailing of the photopeak below a few keV, in contrast to the spectra obtained by detectors with carbon contact. An attempt has been made to explain the tailing effect starting with models wich have been proposed to describe similar effects in Ge detectors.

Dabrowski, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

An alpha particle instrument with alpha, proton, and X-ray modes for planetary chemical analyses

The interaction of alpha particles with matter is employed in a compact instrument that could provide rather complete in-situ chemical analyses of surfaces and thin atmospheres of extraterrestrial bodies. The instrument is a miniaturized and improved version of the Surveyor lunar instrument. The backscattering of alpha particles and (alpha, p) reactions provide analytical data on the light elements (carbon-iron). An X-ray mode that detects the photons produced by the alpha sources provides sensitivity and resolution for the chemical elements heavier than about silicon. The X-rays are detected by semiconductor detectors having a resolution between 150 and 250 eV at 5.9 keV. Such an instrument can identify and determine with good accuracy 99 percent of the atoms (except hydrogen) in rocks. For many trace elements, the detecting sensitivity is a few ppm. Auxiliary sources could be used to enhance the sensitivities for elements of special interest. The instrument could probably withstand the acceleration involved in semi-hard landings.

Economou, T. E.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Development of an alpha scattering instrument for heavy element detection in surface materials

The development and characteristics of a portable instrument for detecting and measuring the amounts of lead in painted surfaces are discussed. The instrument is based on the ones used with the alpha scattering experiment on the Surveyor lunar missions. The principles underlying the instrument are described. It is stated that the performance tests of the instrument were satisfactory.

Turkevich, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Average chemical composition of the lunar surface

The available data on the chemical composition of the lunar surface at eleven sites (3 Surveyor, 5 Apollo and 3 Luna) are used to estimate the amounts of principal chemical elements (those present in more than about 0.5% by atom) in average lunar surface material. The terrae of the moon differ from the maria in having much less iron and titanium and appreciably more aluminum and calcium.

Turkevich, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

An alpha particle experiment for chemical analysis of the Martian surface and atmosphere.

An alpha particle experiment similar to the one performed successfully on the Surveyor lunar missions is described. It is designed to provide a chemical analysis of the Martian surface and atmosphere. Analyses of rocks of known and unknown compositions have been made under simulated Martian conditions. The accuracies attained are generally comparable to those of the Surveyor lunar analyses. Improvements have been achieved in determining carbon and oxygen, so that a few per cent of water or carbonates in rocks can be detected. Some aspects of the integration of such an experiment with the spacecraft, a possible mission profile, and some other problems associated with a soft-landing mission to Mars are discussed. The importance of such a chemical analysis experiment in answering current questions about the nature and history of Martian surface material and its suitability for life processes is presented.

Economou, T. E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

The average chemical composition of the lunar surface

The available analytical data from twelve locations on the moon are used to estimate the average amounts of the principal chemical elements (O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Ti, and Fe) in the mare, the terra, and the average lunar surface regolith. These chemical elements comprise about 99% of the atoms on the lunar surface. The relatively small variability in the amounts of these elements at different mare (or terra) sites, and the evidence from the orbital measurements of Apollo 15 and 16, suggest that the lunar surface is much more homogeneous than the surface of the earth. The average chemical composition of the lunar surface may now be known as well as, if not better than, that of the solid part of the earth's surface.

Turkevich, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Examination of returned Surveyor 3 camera visor for alpha radioactivity

The TV camera visor was placed in a vacuum chamber and examined for alpha radioactivity using an alpha-scattering instrument, and plates covered with the same paint and made at the same time as the visor were used as a control. The spectra of visor and plates are very similar, and it is concluded that the gross activity on the visor is due entirely to the activity of the paint. The data were used to obtain the amount of Po-210 activity on the lunar surface. It is felt that the lack of detected alpha radioactivity does not indicate a lack of activity on the moon, since dust layers were knocked off the visor.

Economou, T. E.↗