Radiationinduced Reactivity of Lunar Regolith in Support of the Return to the Moon

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Radiation-induced Reactivity of Lunar Regolith in
Support of the Return to the Moon

• Kim Kuhlman
• Planetary Science Institute
• August 20, 2007

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Current Research

• Biological Diversity of Rock Varnishes
• Cleaning and Particulate Contamination of Genesis
  Samples
• Radiation-induced Reactivity of Lunar Minerals.

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Triangle Diagram
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Samples Implanted Using Plasma Source Ion
Implantation
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Solar Wind Implantation PreviouslySimulated
Using PSII
Helium implantation shows likely mechanical loss
from Apollo samples during collection and return
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Hypotheses

• Solar wind and UV irradiation cause dangling
  bonds at surfaces of lunar grains.
• New compounds are formed during implantation
  and/or passivation.
• Changes can be analyzed using NIR-MidIR and/or
  XPS.