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Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Spectroscopic Identification of Dispersant/Particle Bonding Mechanisms in Functional Inks
Published on: May 8, 2015
An infrared spectral match between GEMS and interstellar grains
J P Bradley1, L P Keller, T P Snow
1MVA Inc., Norcross, GA 30093, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|September 11, 1999
Summary
Infrared spectra of interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) match astronomical silicates. Some IDPs resemble solar system comets and young stars, while others mirror interstellar dust, suggesting a link to solar system formation.
Area of Science:
- Cosmic Dust and Planetary Formation
- Infrared Spectroscopy
- Astrochemistry
Background:
- Interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) are remnants from the early solar system.
- Astronomical silicates are key components in models of star and planet formation.
- Understanding silicate properties is crucial for tracing material origins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare infrared spectral properties of silicate grains in IDPs with astronomical silicates.
- To investigate the origins and evolution of dust in the solar system and beyond.
- To identify spectral similarities between IDPs and various astronomical dust populations.
Main Methods:
- Infrared spectroscopy was used to analyze the silicon-oxygen stretch bands of IDPs.
- Comparison of spectral features (fine structure, bandwidths) of IDPs with known astronomical silicate spectra.
- Analysis of IDPs containing enstatite, forsterite, and glass with embedded metal and sulfides (GEMS).
Main Results:
- IDPs containing enstatite, forsterite, and some GEMS showed spectral features similar to comets and Herbig Ae/Be stars.
- Certain GEMS exhibited broad, featureless silicon-oxygen bands, matching interstellar molecular cloud and young stellar object spectra.
- These GEMS provide a spectral match to astronomical "amorphous" silicates.
Conclusions:
- IDPs exhibit diverse infrared spectral properties, reflecting different formation and processing histories.
- Some IDPs may originate from interstellar material, supporting the idea of a common dust pool.
- The spectral similarity of GEMS to amorphous silicates supports their role as building blocks of the solar system.
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