Abstract
We have developed a X-ray analyzer for future SELENE-2 lunar lander. The X-ray fluorescence spectrometer / diffractometer (XRF/XRD) is mounted on SELENE-2 lander, and will analyze lunar rock samples which SELENE-2 rover picks up from scientifically important area on the lunar surface. The X-ray tube as a primary X-ray generator for the XRF/XRD has some advantages to carry out quicker and higher quality measurements, compared with radioactive isotopes which were conventionally used in past landing missions. The problem to mount X-ray tube on the spacecraft is its large size and mass. We adopt a new type of X-ray tube based on electron field emission (FE) from carbon nanotubes (CNT) to achieve significant miniaturization. This presentation shows results of our experiments of the electron field emission, and actual application methods of the miniaturized X-ray tube on the X-ray instrument.
