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Extraction and microanalysis of cosmic dust captured during sample return missions: laboratory simulations

Graham, Giles A., Kearsley, Anton T., Butterworth, Anna, Bland, Philip A., Burchell, Mark J., McPhail, David S., Chater, Richard J., Grady, Monica M., Wright, Ian P. (2004) Extraction and microanalysis of cosmic dust captured during sample return missions: laboratory simulations. Scientific Exploration, Planetary Protection, Active Experiments and Dusty Plasmas, 34 (11). pp. 2292-2298. ISSN 0273-1177. (doi:10.1016/j.asr.2003.07.066) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:5053)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2003.07.066

Abstract

Particles of cometary and asteroidal origin collected at source using dedicated capture cell technologies will be returned to Earth within the next 8 years. Furthermore, coincidental capture of interplanetary dust particles will occur on the exposed surfaces of the Genesis spacecraft. Laboratory simulations using both light-gas-gun and Van de Graaff accelerators have impacted dust analogues at velocities ranging from 5 km s(-1) to ca. 72 km s(-1) into comparable silicon and aerogel targets. Analysis of the impacts on silicon has shown complete spallation of impact residues for silicate projectiles of 38-53 mum in diameter, however craters formed by 1 mum iron projectiles show that near-intact residues can be preserved. An olivine grain embedded in aerogel has been characterized in situ using Raman micro-spectroscopy. Monte Carlo simulations and laboratory experiments have shown that analytical scanning electron microscopy can also be used to characterize embedded grains. Development of a novel particle extraction methodology using a 266 nm UV laser micro-dissection system has resulted in the recovery of an olivine grain. The extracted particle was then "cleaned up" using focused ion beam (FIB) milling to remove excess aerogel that was fused on the grain surface.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.asr.2003.07.066
Uncontrolled keywords: cosmic dust; sample return missions; extraction and microanalysis; laboratory simulations
Subjects: Q Science
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Depositing User: Mark Burchell
Date Deposited: 08 Sep 2008 15:29 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:43 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/5053 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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