For quantitative interpretation of impact ionization spectra, analogue experiments in the lab are mandatory. For mineral and organic dust particles, this is achieved by electrostatic acceleration of micron and sub-micron sized dust grains of known composition that are fired upon duplicates of the space detectors.
Acceleration of icy particles to the desired speed is currently not possible. However, to simulate icy particle impact one can use a laser-driven analogue setup. Here a highly …

The MSF-Lab, established in 2004, is part of the Department of Experimental Planetary Physics and is used for different astrobiological and physical experiments to simulate the key environmental conditions like pressure, temperature, radiation, gas composition, and primarily also the diurnally varying atmospheric humidity in a range from earth conditions to similar to those at the near-surface atmosphere of Martian mid- and low latitudes. A further part of the laboratory are tests with gas, …

The Planetary Analog Simulation Facility-Laboratory (PASLAB) at the DLR is used for different astrobiological, chemical and physical experiments to simulate variations in key environmental conditions like pressure, temperature, radiation and gas composition, under conditions ranging from Earth-like (including Early Earth) to the near-surface atmosphere of Martian mid- and low latitudes and exoplanets (e.g. temperature range between -70 °C to +20 °C, low pressures 6 to 10 mbar, etc.). The DLR …

The Planetary Spectroscopy Laboratory (PSL) provides spectral measurements from VIS to FIR for comparison with remote sensing spacecraft/telescopic measurements of extraterrestrial surfaces. Reflection, transmission and emission spectroscopy are used to acquire spectral data of target materials.
An FT-IR microscope allows microscopic analysis in transmission and reflectance in the VIS+VNIR+MIR spectral range. Three identical Bruker Vertex 80V FTIR instruments are operating (in vacuum) at …

The core of the laboratory is a Raman micro-spectrometer. The spectrometer is equipped with a cryostat serving as a planetary simulation chamber which permits simulation of environmental conditions on planetary surfaces, namely pressure (10⁻⁶ hPa – 1000 hPa), atmospheric constituents, and temperature (4 K – 500 K). The laboratory is also equipped with preparation facilities for analog materials. The samples which are analyzed in the laboratory range from minerals, Martian analog material, …