Dynamic Potential Sputtering of Lunar Analog Material by Solar Wind Ions

Szabo, Paul S.; Biber, Herbert; Jäggi, Noah; Brenner, Matthias; Weichselbaum, David; Niggas, Anna; Stadlmayr, Reinhard; Primetzhofer, Daniel; Nenning, Andreas; Mutzke, Andreas; Sauer, Markus; Fleig, Jürgen; Foelske-Schmitz, Annette; Mezger, Klaus; Lammer, Helmut; Galli, André; Wurz, Peter; Aumayr, Friedrich (2020). Dynamic Potential Sputtering of Lunar Analog Material by Solar Wind Ions. Astrophysical journal, 891(1), p. 100. Institute of Physics Publishing IOP 10.3847/1538-4357/ab7008

[img] Text
Szabo_2020_ApJ_891_100.pdf - Published Version
Restricted to registered users only
Available under License Publisher holds Copyright.

Download (1MB) | Request a copy
[img]
Preview
Text
Szabo_2020_Manuscript_accepted.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License Publisher holds Copyright.
Embargo 12 Monate

Download (1MB) | Preview

Pyroxenes ((Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn)2Si2O6) belong to the most abundant rock forming minerals that make up the surface of rocky planets and moons. Therefore, sputtering of pyroxenes by solar wind ions has to be considered as a very important process for modifying the surface of planetary bodies. This is increased due to potential sputtering by multiply charged ions; to quantify this effect, sputtering of wollastonite (CaSiO3) by He2+ ions was investigated. Thin films of CaSiO3 deposited on a quartz crystal microbalance were irradiated, allowing precise, in situ, real time sputtering yield measurements. Experimental results were compared with SDTrimSP simulations, which were improved by adapting the used input parameters. On freshly prepared surfaces, He2+ ions show a significant increase in sputtering, as compared to equally fast He+ ions. However, the yield decreases exponentially with fluence, reaching a lower steady state after sputtering of the first few monolayers. Experiments using Ar8+ ions show a similar behavior, which is qualitatively explained by a preferential depletion of surface oxygen due to potential sputtering. A corresponding quantitative model is applied, and the observed potential sputtering behaviors of both He and Ar are reproduced very well. The results of these calculations support the assumption that mainly O atoms are affected by potential sputtering. Based on our findings, we discuss the importance of potential sputtering for the solar wind eroding the lunar surface. Estimated concentration changes and sputtering yields are both in line with previous modeling for other materials, allowing a consistent perspective on the effects of solar wind potential sputtering.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

08 Faculty of Science > Physics Institute > Space Research and Planetary Sciences
08 Faculty of Science > Institute of Geological Sciences
08 Faculty of Science > Physics Institute

UniBE Contributor:

Jäggi, Noah Victor, Mezger, Klaus, Galli, A, Wurz, Peter

Subjects:

500 Science > 550 Earth sciences & geology
500 Science > 520 Astronomy
600 Technology > 620 Engineering
500 Science > 530 Physics

ISSN:

0004-637X

Publisher:

Institute of Physics Publishing IOP

Language:

English

Submitter:

Dora Ursula Zimmerer

Date Deposited:

02 Nov 2020 12:17

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 15:41

Publisher DOI:

10.3847/1538-4357/ab7008

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.147131

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/147131

Actions (login required)

Edit item Edit item
Provide Feedback