Science objectives and performances of NOMAD, a spectrometer suite for the ExoMars TGO mission

The NOMAD spectrometer suite on the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter will map the composition and distribution of Mars atmospheric trace species in unprecedented detail, fulfilling many of the scientific objectives of the joint ESA-Roscosmos ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter mission. The instrument is a combination of three channels, covering a spectral range from the UV to the IR, and can perform solar occultation, nadir and limb observations. In this paper, we present the science objectives of the instrument and how these objectives have influenced the design of the channels. We also discuss the expected performance of the instrument in terms of coverage and detection sensitivity.

Tests of a silica aerogel cerenkov detector to be used in the european hybrid spectrometer

An 18 module Ceienkov detector with a total sensitive area of 2.3 m2 having silica aerogel as radiator is being tested in a particle beam at CERN PS. The modules having a sensitive area of 23 X 55 cm2 give typically a Cerenkov signal for (3= 1 particles of 12 photoelectrons for silica aerogel of refractive index 1.03 and a thickness of 15 cm. © 1981 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Infrared spectra of C2H2 under jet-cooled and para-H2 matrix conditions

In spectra of jet-cooled C2H2 recorded with an FTIR spectrometer, the ν5, ν4 + ν5, ν3 and ν2 + ν4 + ν5 bands all exhibit an intensity distribution corresponding to ∼6 K for rotation, with no evidence of nuclear spin conversion. Spectra of C2H2 isolated in solid p-H2 show no evidence of rotation of C2H2. The strong interaction between ν3 and ν2 + ν4 + ν5 in the gas phase is diminished in solid p-H2. Lines associated with dimer, trimer and tetramer of C2H2 are identified. Spectral features characteristic of solid state acetylene are observed under jet-cooled conditions. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

FT-jet spectroscopy: vibrational energy transfer in N2O

A set-up combining a high resolution Fourier transform interferometer and a quadrupole mass spectrometer with a supersonic jet expansion produced thanks to a large turbomolecular pumping unit is described. A rotational temperature close to 3 K is demonstrated. Vibration-vibration energy transfer in the expansion affecting the v2 = 1 state in N2O is monitored in the presence of various collision partners. The transfer from the v 2 = 1 state of N2O towards the quasi resonant, lower energy v2 = 1 state of OCS is demonstrated, in particular. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

FANTASIO: a versatile experimental set-up to investigate jet-cooled molecules

The design of a new apparatus, named FANTASIO, for studying jet-cooled molecules is described. It includes, around the same supersonic expansion cell, a high resolution Fourier transform spectrometer with single or multipass optics, a tunable diode laser spectrometer with optional cavity ring-down facilities, and a quadrupole mass spectrometer. Performance and operational procedures are illustrated.