ToF-SIMS analysis of carbonaceous particles in the sample catcher of the Hayabusa spacecraft

Abstract

Three carbonaceous category 3 particles (RA-QD02-0180, RB-QD04-0037-01, and RB-QD04-0047-02) returned in the sample catcher from the Hayabusa spacecraft were analyzed by time of flight-secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) to establish an analytical procedure for determination of their origins. By the different analytical schemes, the three particles gave distinct elemental and molecular ions, in which the organic carbons commonly appear to be associated with nitrogen, silicon, and/or fluorine. The particles could be debris of silicon rubber and fluorinated compounds and are therefore man-made artifacts rather than natural organic matter.

A micro-Raman and infrared study of several Hayabusa category 3 (organic) particles

“…RB-QD04-0047-02 also showed fine structures in the 1,729 to 965 cm −1 region. The absorption at 1,729 cm −1 is assigned to C = O stretching, and the absorption at 1,506 cm −1 is assigned to aromatic C = C. The absorption band at around 1,000 cm −1 may be by the Si-O stretching, corresponding to the Si in the sample Naraoka et al 2015). This will be discussed further along with the results from the white object in the 'The category 3 particles as thermally unaltered materials' section.…”

“…The observed Raman bands are suggested to be the reaction products during sample return and/or artifacts that may be induced by electron beam exposure. In addition, the presence of Si in RB-QD04-0047-02 Naraoka et al 2015) should be explained. It may be an addition like talc associated with Viton rubber.…”

“…Calcium carbonate inclusions of up to 300 nm have been identified in RA-QD02-0120 by TEM/STEM as well as C and Ca by XANES ). The particle RB-QD04-0047-02 was also analyzed by ToF-SIMS (Naraoka et al 2015); TEM/STEM observation and ToF-SIMS analysis pointed out a wide but heterogeneous distribution of Si. One particle, RB-QD04-0001, was allocated in the initial analysis, and the intact particle had also been examined using a diamond holder previously.…”

“…In this investigation, as a part of the sequential analysis of category 3 particles, we examined three category 3 particles (RB-QD04-0001, RB-QD04-0047-02, and RA-QD02-0120) by micro-Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies, together with several artificial carbonaceous substances including the 'white object' found in the sample container. The artificial substances are analyzed in order to get a clue as to whether the category 3 particles are extraterrestrial or not, and our data should be coupled with the results of other kinds of analyses (NanoSIMS, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) described in a series of articles in this issue Ito et al 2014;Yabuta et al 2014;Naraoka et al 2015).…”

The Earth, Planets and Space Special Issue: “Science of solar system materials examined from Hayabusa and future missions”

“…They found that the Raman spectra show disordered parameters associated with a low-maturity level, and hence, the particles are not associated with the Itokawa asteroid particles. Naraoka et al (2015) report TOF-SIMS analysis of three category 3 particles [only one in common with Ito et al (2014) and Kitajima et al (2015)] in order to determine elemental compositions. These analyses have proven to be difficult because the particles have been part of an extended analytical program, and in particular, the Cs primary ion beam used in the nano-SIMS analysis has pervaded the grain.…”