NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Removing Contamination from Genesis Sapphire Collectors by PolishingThe Genesis Solar Wind Sample Re-turn Mission used a variety of materials as solar wind (SW) collectors. “Sapphire”, which is single crystal corundum, was ~6.7% of the collector material flown. But, a much higher percentage of Genesis sapphire collectors (SAP) survived the crash of the sample-return capsule as SAP is chemically inert, physically tough, and hard (MOHS 9, by definition). In fact, 39 sapphire fragments of bulk SW collector having areas ≥60 sq mm are available in JSC’s Genesis online catalog, whereas only 1 similarly sized silicon fragment is available (accessed 1/1/2020). In spite of the ease of accessing larger fragments, sapphire has not been popular among Genesis re-searchers because it is an electrical insulator (making SIMS more difficult) and its chemical inertness, high melting point and high hardness precludes the use of many mass-spectroscopic techniques. Recently, as alternative techniques for measuring Genesis samples are developed (e.g., synchrotron TXRF, INAA, laser ablation mass spectroscopy), more researchers are choosing to analyze sapphire. Thus, a number of researchers are actively studying how to best remove contamination from the Genesis sapphire surfaces. This report extends the task in Schmeling et al. that used polishing compounds to remove contamination from Genesis sapphire and focuses on contaminants (welded silicon, aluminum) that current chemical methods find recalcitrant.
Document ID
20210000231
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
M. Schmeling
(Loyola University Chicago Chicago, Illinois, United States)
A. J. G. Jurewicz
(Arizona State University Tempe, Arizona, United States)
J. Allton
(Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas, United States)
D. S. Burnett
(California Institute of Technology Pasadena, California, United States)
Date Acquired
January 8, 2021
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Meeting Information
Meeting: 52nd Lunar and Planetary Conference
Location: online
Country: US
Start Date: March 15, 2021
End Date: March 19, 2021
Sponsors: Lunar and Planetary Institute
Funding Number(s)
WBS: 048290
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNX14AT30G
CONTRACT_GRANT: 80NSSC17K0025
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Portions of document may include copyright protected material.
Technical Review
Single Expert
No Preview Available