Evolved gas analysis

By coupling the thermal analysis instrument, e. g. TGA (thermogravimetry) or DSC (differential scanning calorimetry), with a fast Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (QMS) the detection of gas separation and identification of the separated components are possible in exact time correlation with the other thermal analysis signals.

The combination with an FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectrometer) has become popular, especially in the polymer producing, chemical and pharmaceutical industry.

DSC/TGA-FTIR or TGA-FTIR yields information on the composition (absorption bands) of the evolved gases (bonding conditions).

An EGA instrument named the Thermal and Evolved-Gas Analyzer was flown on the Phoenix Lander probe that reached Mars in May 2008.

SAM detected complex organic carbon on the surface of Mars[3] at Gale Crater in a 3.5 billion year old mudstone.

Sol 1065, August 5, 2015. NASA's Curiosity Mars rover at the site from which it reached down to drill into a rock target called "Buckskin" on lower Mount Sharp, Gale Crater, Mars