From Background to Signal: Challenges of a Solid Sample Analysis Using SAM GC-MS
Résumé
Amongst the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) experiment capabilities, the GCMS mode (coupling of theGas-Chromatograph and the quadrupole Mass-Spectrometer instruments)wasdesigned for the separation and identificationof the chemical components of the gases evolved from a solid sample, either processed by heat in pyrolysis or by chemical reactant in wet chemistry[1]. Prior to the three portionedsamples already analyzed in pyrolysis GCMS, an internal SAMblank run was carried out with an empty quartz cup. This blank analysis was required to understand thebackground signalintrinsic to theGCMS response of the SAM experiment. With this aim, it was run using analytical conditions similar to those used for the Rocknest samples. The identification of the compounds present in the background and the understanding of theirorigin arenecessary to perform quantitative analysis and to aid the interpretationof the solid sample results.
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