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Using Auger spectroscopy to characterize
sub-micrometer presolar grains in situ: an
overview
Stadermann F. J., Floss C., and Lea A. S. (2006)
Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXVII, Abstract
#1663.
ABSTRACT
Presolar grains have isotopic compositions that clearly
identify them as stellar condensates which survived
prolonged residency in the interstellar medium before being
incorporated into Solar System materials. Many such grains
are first identified during in situ isotope imaging searches
in various types of primitive extraterrestrial materials. To
constrain a given particles possible origins, it is
beneficial to get compositional information beyond its
isotopic makeup. Since most presolar grains are
sub-micrometer in size, only a few analytical techniques are
suitable for this purpose. We have previously shown that
scanning Auger spectroscopy represents an excellent tool for
the elemental characterization of presolar materials that
have been identified by NanoSIMS isotopic imaging searches.
We have now used this combination of techniques for in situ
isotopic and elemental characterizations of sub-micrometer
presolar grains in primitive meteorites, Antarctic
micrometeorites, and interplanetary dust particles (IDPs).
Here, we give an overview of these studies and discuss the
qualitative and quantitative identification of presolar
grain types.
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