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Non-destructive search for interstellar dust using
synchrotron microprobes.
Westphal A. J., Allbrink A., Allen C., Bajt S., Bastien R.,
Bechtel
H., Bleuet P., Borg J., Bowker S., Brenker F., Bridges J., Brownlee D.
E., Burchell M., Burghammer M., Butterworth A. L., Cloetens P., Cody
G., Ferroir T., Ferrari K., Floss C., Flynn G. J., Frank D., Gainsforth
Z., Grün E., Harmer M., Hoppe P., Kearsley A., Kulkarni S., Lai
B., Lemelle L., Leroux H., Lettieri R., Marchant W., McCreadie B.,
Nittler L. R., Ogliore R., Postberg F., Rigamonti C., Sandford S. A.,
Schmitz S., Silversmit G., Simionovici A., Sperry G., Srama R.,
Stadermann F. J., Stephan T., Stroud R. M., Susini J., Sutton S.,
Thompson V., Toucoulou R., Trieloff M., Tsou P., Tsuchiyama A.,
Tyliczszak T., Vekemans B., Vincze L., Warren J., Yahnke T., Zevin D.,
Zolensky M. E., and >27000 Stardust@home dusters (2009)
Proc. ICXOM20, 20th Intl. Congr. X-ray Optics Microanalysis.
ABSTRACT
Here we describe the critical role that synchrotron X-ray and
infrared microprobes are playing in the search for interstellar dust in
the Stardust Interstellar Dust Collector (SIDC). The samples under
examination are submicron particles trapped in low-density aerogel. We
have found that the spatial resolution, energy range, and flux
capabilities of the FTIR beamlines 1.4.3, ALS, and U2B, NSLS; the XRF
microprobes ID13 and ID22NI, ESRF and 2-ID-D, APS; and the STXM
beamline 11.0.2, ALS are ideally suited for studying these tiny
returned samples. Using nondestructive, coordinated analyses at these
microprobes, we have been able to eliminate most candidates as likely
samples of interstellar dust. This in itself is a major accomplishment,
since the analysis of these tiny samples is technically extremely
challenging.
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