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Microstructural study of micron‐sized craters simulating Stardust impacts in aluminum 1100 targets
Author(s) -
Leroux Hugues,
Borg Janet,
Troadec David,
Djouadi Zahia,
Hörz Friedrich
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
meteoritics and planetary science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.09
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1945-5100
pISSN - 1086-9379
DOI - 10.1111/j.1945-5100.2006.tb00202.x
Subject(s) - impact crater , scanning electron microscope , materials science , transmission electron microscopy , energy dispersive x ray spectroscopy , focused ion beam , characterization (materials science) , particle (ecology) , astrobiology , mineralogy , nanotechnology , geology , composite material , ion , chemistry , physics , oceanography , organic chemistry
— Various microscopic techniques were used to characterize experimental microcraters in aluminum foils to prepare for the comprehensive analysis of the cometary and interstellar particle impacts in aluminum foils to be returned by the Stardust mission. First, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to study the morphology of the impact craters and the bulk composition of the residues left by soda‐lime glass impactors. A more detailed structural and compositional study of impactor remnants was then performed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), EDS, and electron diffraction methods. The TEM samples were prepared by focused ion beam (FIB) methods. This technique proved to be especially valuable in studying impact crater residues and impact crater morphology. Finally, we also showed that infrared microscopy (IR) can be a quick and reliable tool for such investigations. The combination of all of these tools enables a complete microscopic characterization of the craters.