Enhanced repeatability and reproducibility in lunar analog material analysis using LIXS compared to LIBS

In-situ resource identification on extraterrestrial bodies is pivotal for space exploration and necessitates precise material characterization techniques. This study evaluates the comparative performance of Laser-Induced Soft X-ray and Extreme Ultraviolet (XUV) Spectroscopy (LIXS) and conventional Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for this purpose. LIXS, designed to operate at shorter wavelengths and to detect signals in vacuum, aims to enhance extraplanetary exploration tools along with its environmental compatibility, particularly on the lunar surface. A key hypothesis of our study is that LIXS is more repeatable and reproducible compared to LIBS, which are known limitations of LIBS. This analysis includes the evaluation of repeatability and reproducibility for three prominent emission lines from lunar analogue samples as well as for the emission of aluminum from the same samples using both detection methods. The investigation reveals that a maximum relative standard deviation (RSD) for aluminum emission intensities of 11.1 % is achieved by LIXS and of 208.2 % by LIBS at equivalent energies, signifying notably enhanced repeatability. Additionally, LIXS exhibits up to eight times better reproducibility of aluminum emission intensities in diverse experimental setting conditions compared to LIBS. Signal-to-noise ratio analysis further underscores the advantages of noise reduction by LIXS, contributing to its better performance, establishing LIXS as a superior alternative with enhanced repeatability and reproducibility for resource identification in space exploration. • better repeatability and improved reproducibility with LIXS compared to LIBS. • reduced noise level in LIXS compared to LIBS. • enhanced SNR with LIXS compared to LIBS. • emission contribution pattern with LIXS congruent with mass contribution pattern.