Stimulated Luminescence of Simulant Minerals Martians and Lunars

• Grant number: 24/03006-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: September 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mining Engineering - Mineral Prospecting
• Principal Investigator: Neilo Marcos Trindade
• Grantee: Neilo Marcos Trindade
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant(s): 25/02262-0 - RADIATION PHYSICS TOPICS FOR HIGH SCHOOL, AP.R
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/00094-2 - Investigation of the Optically Stimulated Luminescence of Lunar Regolith Simulants, BP.MS; 24/21258-0 - Instrumentation of a low-temperature optically stimulated luminescence system, BP.TT; 24/14975-8 - Characterization of Optical and Thermoluminescent Properties of Lunar Regolith Simulants, BP.IC; 24/14997-1 - Development of an optically stimulated luminescence system integrated with LUMI22, BP.IC; 24/14974-1 - Study of optically stimulated luminescence of natural olivines., BP.MS

Abstract

Space agencies are interested in understanding the conditions of Martian and lunar surfaces, as well as radiation levels, to develop technologies for future missions. This project focuses on the evaluation of mineral simulants representative of Mars and the Moon, provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), aiming to determine their viability as ionizing radiation detectors. Another mineral group of interest are olivines (Mg2+, Fe2+)2SiO4, as well as several materials with similar structures. Olivine makes up 1.5% of the volume of the Earth's crust, however, the presence of this mineral has already been identified in Martian and lunar soil. Three well-established techniques in dosimetry - thermoluminescence (TL), optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and radioluminescence (RL) - will be employed to investigate the response of these simulant minerals to ionizing radiation. The research seeks to identify the sensitivity of these minerals to different types of radiation (beta, gamma, X-rays) as well as the ability to record exposure. These results will contribute to the understanding of the applicability of simulant minerals as radiation detectors in environments similar to those of Mars and the Moon. (AU)