A Compact LIF Spectrometer for in-Field Operation in Polar Environments

We present a compact laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectrometer prototype (SFIDA–405) designed for in-field operation in polar environments. It uses 405 nm excitation to acquire LIF spectra in the 450–930 nm spectral range on a solid surface via an optical-fiber coupled measurement head. The prototype (battery powered; module + measurement head weight: <1.6 kg) is controlled via a military-grade smartphone and has a limit of detection for chlorophyll better than 5 ng/cm2. The instrument was successfully tested during two summer field campaigns in the Arctic (Svalbard Islands) and Antarctic (Southern Victoria Land) regions for studying biological soil crusts. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this represents the first LIF spectrometer used in situ in Antarctica to acquire LIF spectra directly on biological soil crusts. Finally, the paper also suggests the use of the SFIDA–405 prototype for different application fields.