DESCRIPTION |
Instrument Overview
===================
The Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN) is an active/passive neutron
spectrometer that measures the abundance and depth distribution of
H- and OH-bearing materials (e.g., adsorbed water, hydrated
minerals) in a shallow layer (~1 m) of Mars' subsurface along the
path of the MSL rover. In active mode, DAN measures the time decay
curve (the 'dynamic albedo') of the neutron flux from the
subsurface induced by its pulsing 14 MeV neutron source. A
detailed description of the DAN instrument and scientific
investigation can be found in Litvak et al. (2008). The experiment
is contributed by the Federal Space Agency of Russia.
The DAN instrument is expected to be used during rover traverses
(e.g., during short stops at ~1 m intervals) and while the rover
is parked. Short-duration (< 2 min) measurements will provide a
rough estimate of the water-equivalent hydrogen distribution with
an accuracy of ~1% by weight. Longer-duration (~30 min)
measurements are necessary to derive the vertical distribution of
water-equivalent hydrogen with an accuracy of 0.1-0.3% by weight.
DAN performs layering structure analyses of the Martian
sub-surface, to measure the distribution of H- and OH-bearing
materials, with a vertical resolution of < 1 m and horizontal
resolutions of 0.5 - 100 m along the path of the rover.
For further information about the DAN instrument and the
DAN experiment please see LITVAKETAL2008.
Scientific Objectives
=====================
The science objectives of the DAN instrument are as follows:
1) Detect and provide a quantitative estimation of the hydrogen
in the subsurface throughout the surface mission;
2) Investigate the upper <0.5 m of the subsurface and determine
the possible layering structure of hydrogen-bearing materials in
the subsurface;
3) Track the variability of hydrogen content in the upper soil
layer (~1 m) during the mission by periodic analysis; and
4) Track the variability of neutron radiation background (neutrons
with energy < 100 keV) during the mission by periodic analysis.
Calibration
===========
Calibration information for the DAN instrument is provided
in the DAN Calibration Report
(calib/DAN_calibration_report.pdf).
Operational Modes
=================
DAN has three different modes of operations: Standby, Passive,
and Active.
STANDBY: Low voltage electronics are on, no science observations
PASSIVE: Background observations collected
ACTIVE: Neutron pulses are produced and science observations
collected.
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REFERENCES |
Litvak, M., et al., The Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN) Experiment for NASA's
2009 Mars Science Laboratory, Astrobiology, Volume 8, Number 3, 2008.
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