Development of -resolution, broadband Raman spectrometers planetary exploration

About the NASA Postdoctoral Program

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly‑talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA‑affiliated research institute. These one‑ to three‑year fellowships are competitive and are designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.

Raman spectroscopy is a powerful spectroscopic analysis technique that has been applied in many geo‑scientific areas including mineralogy, gemology, planetary exploration, and astrobiology, and can provide accurate and detailed molecular and structural information of planetary materials. Owing to its advantages in no sample preparations, quick and non‑destructive analyses, unambiguous phase identifications, as well as low‑mass and robust behaviours on the mineralogy and mineral chemistries of rock and soil samples, many Raman spectroscopic studies on returned samples, meteorites and planetary analogues have been reported.

However, almost all of these studies used traditional micro‑Raman with a working distance of several centimeters or less. During planetary exploration, tools with long detective distance are desirable. In the early 1960s, remote Raman was developed and employed in the detection of gases. Remote Raman systems for planetary exploration have been established by several groups, especially at the Raman spectroscopy laboratory at the University of Hawaiʻi, which has a greatly improved remote Raman instrument for planetary explorations.

At Goddard Space Flight Center, work is currently underway to demonstrate various Raman systems for planetary exploration, and our team is looking for an NPP candidate to participate in the conception, research, and development of in‑situ and stand‑off Raman systems.

Field of Science: Planetary Science

Advisors: Shahid Aslam (shahid.aslam-1, (202) 340‑0018)

• A Ph.D. in Planetary Sciences
• Experience developing Python programs to process and analyze spectral data
• Understanding of the principles of classic Raman spectrometers, Spatial Heterodyne Raman Spectrometer (SHRS), and UV‑Vis spectroscopy
• Understanding of instruments such as SUPERCAM deployed on Mars; perform different forms of spectroscopy including LIBS, Raman, time‑resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, and visible and infrared reflectance spectroscopy at a distance
• Experience using vacuum and high‑pressure systems
• Experience in designing UV‑VIS instrumentation

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree:
  Doctoral Degree