Contribution of Ion Sputtering to the Production of Na and K in the Lunar Atmosphere

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

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Sodium, Potassium, Lunar Atmosphere, Sputtering, Ions, X Ray Spectroscopy, Desorption, Meteorite Collisions

Scientific paper

Neutral Na and K in the lunar atmosphere have been detected by a number of ground-based observations. To maintain their columnar densities in the Moon's tenuous exosphere, these atoms must be continually replenished by some mechanism(s). These processes include: electron-stimulated desorption, photon-stimulated desorption (primarily UV), thermal desorption, ion sputtering, and micro-meteoritic impact. We investigate the effect of solar wind bombardment on lunar-like minerals (albite, labradorite, and anorthoclase - alkali containing feldspars similar to highland basalt), by measuring the cross section for ion-induced release of Na/K from feldspathic material. Measurements are made in an ultra-high vacuum chamber by irradiating a granular sample with 4 keV He(+) ions and measuring the surface concentration of Na/K as a function of irradiation dose with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). We will discuss the astronomical implications of our measurements.

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