It is well known that the interaction of energetic ions, electrons and
photons with surfaces and interfaces leads to non-thermal desorption via
a process typically referred to as desorption induced by electronic
transitions (DIET). When DIET involves either electrons or photons,
these processes are generally referred to as electron-stimulated
desorption and photon-stimulated desorption (PSD), respectively. Recent
attention has focused on understanding the role of non-thermal “space
weathering” in the processing of interstellar grains and ices.
Specifically, there is deep interest in understanding the radiation
processing of carbon grains in the solar nebula and unraveling the H2O
formation mechanisms in solar nebula and planetary systems, including
the Moon. Using graphite grains, the VUV photon-simulated oxidation of
carbon grains via reactive scattering of water fragments produced by
dissociative electron attachment at the buried interface was examined.
The results suggested that VUV PSD at the buried water:carbon grain
interface may help control the carbon inventory during planet formation.
The inverse process, (i.e, the formation of water) may happen on
metal-oxide samples such as mineral grains and lunar regolith samples,
that contain or are terminated by hydroxyl groups. Solar wind space
weathering experiments of several Apollo lunar samples demonstrated that
thermally activated recombinative desorption (RD) can be H2O sources
[2,3] and that electron-stimulated reactive scattering to produce water
may also be occurring, especially when the Moon is in the magnetopause
[4]. RD can occur on a diurnal basis on the Moon and is prevalent
during meteoroid impacts. The latter is simulated by laser irradiation
studies followed by state and velocity resolved detection of the
produced water. Finally, evidence of space weathering and surface
alteration has also been revealed using spatially resolved,
high-resolution nanoscale Fourier transform infrared
imaging/spectroscopy correlated with photoluminescence (PL) on Apollo
samples with different origins and history.
04/10/2024
Speaker: Prof. Thomas M. Orlando (School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA)
Location: AULA OVEST of the Osservatorio Astrofisico di Catania + remote.
Link for the remote audience: https://meet.google.com/wvf-uwxo-oyj
Date: October 04 at 11:00 AM.
A few rules:
-- in case of large in-person attendance, attendees may be asked to wear a face mask
-- before joining, make sure you are using your institutional inaf.it account if you have one (otherwise we will grant you permission to join)
-- please do not forget to mute your microphone and switch off your webcam when access the virtual room
-- for questions leave a message in the chat, the answers at the end of the webinar
-- the seminar will be recorded, so if you are interested in it, please contact us to get the link to the registration.