Jeffrey J. Carlson
Papers
1
Total Citations
322
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1
About
Jeffrey J. Carlson is a leading planetary scientist and instrument engineer whose work has been pivotal to the success of NASA’s Mars exploration program. His primary research focuses on the development and application of advanced spectroscopic techniques for planetary surface analysis, particularly through laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and remote Raman spectroscopy. Carlson’s most significant contribution is his central role in the SuperCam instrument suite aboard the Perseverance rover, which landed on Mars in 2021. As detailed in his highly cited 2020 paper (322 citations), he was instrumental in the design, testing, and integration of the instrument’s Body Unit, enabling the first-ever remote time-resolved Raman spectroscopy on another planet. This breakthrough allows scientists to identify minerals and organic compounds from a distance, dramatically expanding the rover’s ability to characterize the Martian environment. Carlson’s work has directly supported the mission’s core goal of seeking signs of ancient microbial life and collecting samples for future return to Earth. His contributions exemplify the critical intersection of engineering innovation and fundamental planetary science, making him a key figure in modern space exploration.
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