Evidence for a ubiquitous, sub-microscopic 'magnetite-like' constituent in the lunar soilsElectron spin resonance (ESR) has been employed in a study of the ferromagnetic constituents of a wide variety of soils from six sampled regions of the moon as well as glasses made to simulate lunar compositions. A significant result has been that magnetite-like phases (magnetic iron spinel) precipitated in and on simulated lunar glasses as a result of sub-solidus oxidation yield room-temperature ESR spectra virtually identical with the line shape predicted for spherical, single domain particles of metallic Fe. It is shown that such magnetite-like phases can nevertheless be distinguished from metallic iron on the basis of the temperature dependence of the ESR intensity.
Document ID
19740040242
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Griscom, D. L.
Friebele, E. J.
Marquardt, C. L. (U.S. Navy, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington D.C., United States)