3C-O2-1605(3P-15) PDF
Development of an in-situ K-Ar dating instrument for planetary explorations: Vacuum sealing for Ar measurements on the Moon and Mars
We have been developing an in-situ K-Ar dating instrument for future planetary explorations. Here we report the recent progress in the engineering aspect of our instrument. We conducted Ar blank measurements using a noble-gas analysis system to investigate the capability of elastomeric O-rings as a vacuum seal. Our results indicate that metal seals can be replaced with a baked Viton O-ring in the lunar environment because there is no atmospheric gas permeating through the O-ring. Our experimental results also indicate that a double O-ring seal can achieve a sufficiently low blank level under the pressure of Martian atmosphere.