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Nanoscale infrared spectroscopy as a non-destructive probe of extraterrestrial samples

Author

Listed:
  • Gerardo Dominguez

    (California State University, San Marcos
    University of California, San Diego)

  • A. S. Mcleod

    (University of California, San Diego)

  • Zack Gainsforth

    (Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley)

  • P. Kelly

    (University of California, San Diego)

  • Hans A. Bechtel

    (Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Fritz Keilmann

    (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität and Center for Nanoscience)

  • Andrew Westphal

    (Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley)

  • Mark Thiemens

    (University of California, San Diego)

  • D. N. Basov

    (University of California, San Diego)

Abstract

Advances in the spatial resolution of modern analytical techniques have tremendously augmented the scientific insight gained from the analysis of natural samples. Yet, while techniques for the elemental and structural characterization of samples have achieved sub-nanometre spatial resolution, infrared spectral mapping of geochemical samples at vibrational ‘fingerprint’ wavelengths has remained restricted to spatial scales >10 μm. Nevertheless, infrared spectroscopy remains an invaluable contactless probe of chemical structure, details of which offer clues to the formation history of minerals. Here we report on the successful implementation of infrared near-field imaging, spectroscopy and analysis techniques capable of sub-micron scale mineral identification within natural samples, including a chondrule from the Murchison meteorite and a cometary dust grain (Iris) from NASA's Stardust mission. Complementary to scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy probes, this work evidences a similarity between chondritic and cometary materials, and inaugurates a new era of infrared nano-spectroscopy applied to small and invaluable extraterrestrial samples.

Suggested Citation

  • Gerardo Dominguez & A. S. Mcleod & Zack Gainsforth & P. Kelly & Hans A. Bechtel & Fritz Keilmann & Andrew Westphal & Mark Thiemens & D. N. Basov, 2014. "Nanoscale infrared spectroscopy as a non-destructive probe of extraterrestrial samples," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms6445
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6445
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    Cited by:

    1. Xuezhi Ma & Qiushi Liu & Ning Yu & Da Xu & Sanggon Kim & Zebin Liu & Kaili Jiang & Bryan M. Wong & Ruoxue Yan & Ming Liu, 2021. "6 nm super-resolution optical transmission and scattering spectroscopic imaging of carbon nanotubes using a nanometer-scale white light source," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-7, December.

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