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At least 235 records · Page 13

Relative cooling rates of mare basalts at the Apollo 12 and 15 sites as estimated from pyroxene exsolution data

X-ray single-crystal diffraction studies, supplemented by electron microprobe analyses of core pigeonites and rim augites from rocks 12031, 15085, 15475, and 15495, have been used to suggest cooling rates for these and other Apollo 12 and 15 rocks studied by similar methods. The extent of subsolidus phase separation of pyroxenes is used as a measure of the cooling rate. The results were interpreted in terms of model cooling histories of a lava flow whose thickness was estimated from the absolute cooling rates obtained by cooling rate experiments and by temperature-time variation through an extrusive flow computed by employing simplified theory of Jaeger. All available data on the exsolution and cation distributions of pyroxenes from Apollo 12 and 15 samples at present are consistent with the hypothesis that these rocks were derived from the top and interior of lava flows with thicknesses of 4-10 m. A process for exsolution of augite from a host pigeonite on (100) has been related to its low-calcium content.

Takeda, H.↗

Thermochemical Stability of Ca2Yb8(SiO4)6O2 Apatite in Presence of Molten Calcium-Magnesium-Aluminosilicate (CMAS)

Thermochemical stability of ytterbium silicon oxyapatite Ca 2 Yb 8 (SiO 4 ) 6 O 2 (CYbS) in the presence of molten calcium-magnesium aluminosilicate (CMAS) has been investigated at elevated temperatures for consideration as a thermal and environmental barrier coating (T/EBC) material. CYbS apatite powder was synthesized from the constituent oxides via a solid-state reaction method. Hot-pressed apatite substrates were exposed to molten CMAS at 1200, 1300, and 1400 °C for 1, 10, and 50 h. Development of phases in the interaction region of the heat-treated specimens was monitored using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-angle annular dark-field imaging, selected area electron diffraction, and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Monoclinic cyclosilicate Ca 3 Yb 2 (Si 3 O 9 ) 2 formed from interaction of CYbS apatite with CaO in the CMAS melt at the apatite-CMAS reaction front and continued to nucleate and grow within the residual CMAS in diffusion couples annealed for 1 to 50 h at 1200 °C as well as in those heat treated at 1300 °C for 1 h. Residual CMAS was depleted of Ca when cyclosilicate was present. Dendritic wollastonite (CaSiO3) was observed within the residual CMAS in couples annealed at 1200 and 1300 °C. Ingress of molten CMAS, because of its exponential decrease in viscosity, occurred through open pores and along the grain boundaries of the apatite substrates without any detectable chemical reaction at 1300 and 1400 °C. Results of this study indicate that Ca 2 Yb 8 (SiO 4 ) 6 O 2 apatite has the potential to mitigate the CMAS corrosion up to about 1200 °C but not at higher temperatures.

Narottam P Bansal↗

Airborne particle monitoring by electrostatic precipitation

For qualitative analysis of atmospheric particulates by microscopy, the sampling device should preserve the particles in the state existing at the moment of capture. A collector is described that uses electrostatic precipitation to capture and disperse specimens on various substrates for direct insertion into microscopes. Sampling runs in various atmospheres are described. Micrographs are presented to show particle morphology and distribution on the substrates. Chemical identification by X-ray energy probe and electron diffraction is illustrated.

Robinson, J. C.↗

Low orthopyroxene from a lunar deep crustal rock - A new pyroxene polymorph of space group P21ca

Bronzite crystals (En86Fs11Wo3) from a slowly-cooled lunar troctolitic granulite, have space group P21ca, a postulated, but previously unreported space group. Diffractions violating the b-glide extinction conditions have been observed in long-exposure X-ray precession photographs from three of these crystals and on an automated X-ray diffractometer. P21ca is a subgroup of the common orthopyroxene space group Pbca, and its cell dimensions (a = 18.235 plus or minus 0.004 A, b = 8.831 plus or minus 0.002 A, c = 5.189 plus or minus 0.001 A) are similar to those of terrestrial bronzites. It is postulated that the lower symmetry space group has developed as a result of very slow cooling at pressures of one to two kilobars deep in the lunar crust.

Smyth, J. R.↗

X-ray evaluation of crystals for stellar spectrometers

The report consists of three parts. The first part is an analysis of the principles involved in X-ray crystal evaluation and how they are applied to a number of crystals. The principles of crystal evaluation analysis as they apply to the special problems of X-ray astronomy are presented. A number of crystals were evaluated, and the energy dependence of the diffraction properties of (002) PET, (111) Ge, (101) ADP, (001) KAP, and (001) RAP are reported. The second part is a compilation of the diffraction properties of a number of crystals as reported by other authors. In the third part some technical details of a triple crystal spectrometer built by the author at Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn are given. This spectrometer seems to be a most appropriate instrument for evaluation of crystal properties. (Modified author abstract)

Alexandropolos, N. G.↗

Crystals and collimators for X-ray spectrometry

Results of the measurement of Bragg reflection properties of crystals suitable for use in X-ray astronomy are presented. Measurements with a double crystal spectrometer were performed on rubidium acid phthalate and thallium acid phthalate to yield values of the integrated reflectivity and diffraction width in the range 8-18 A, and measurements of integrated reflectivity were also performed on ammonium dihydrogen phosphate. The theory and design of an arc-minute range multigrid collimator to be flown on a rocket for solar X-ray studies are also described, along with a method for determining the collimator's X-ray axis.

Mckenzie, D. L.↗

The X-ray system of crystallographic programs for any computer having a PIDGIN FORTRAN compiler

A manual is presented for the use of a library of crystallographic programs. This library, called the X-ray system, is designed to carry out the calculations required to solve the structure of crystals by diffraction techniques. It has been implemented at the University of Maryland on the Univac 1108. It has, however, been developed and run on a variety of machines under various operating systems. It is considered to be an essentially machine independent library of applications programs. The report includes definition of crystallographic computing terms, program descriptions, with some text to show their application to specific crystal problems, detailed card input descriptions, mass storage file structure and some example run streams.

Stewart, J. M.↗

A graphite crystal polarimeter for stellar X-ray astronomy.

The first crystal X-ray polarimeter to be used for X-ray astronomy is described. Polarization is measured by modulation of the X rays diffracted at an average 45 deg glancing angle from large, curved graphite crystal panels as these rotate about an axis parallel to the incident X-ray flux. Arrangement of the crystal panels, the design of the detector, and the signal-processing circuitry were optimized to minimize systematic effects produced by off-axis pointing of the rocket and cosmic ray induced events. The in-flight performance of the instrument in relation to the observed background signal is discussed.

Weisskopf, M. C.↗

Crystals for stellar spectrometers

Crystal evaluation as it applies to instrumentation employed in X-ray astronomy is reviewed, and some solutions are offered to problems that are commonly encountered. A general approach for selecting the most appropriate crystals for a given problem is also suggested. The energy dependence of the diffraction properties of (002) PET, (111) Ge, (101) ADP, (101) KAP, and (001) RAP are reported.

Alexandropoulos, N. G.↗

Remote analysis of planetary soils: X-ray diffractometer development

A system is described suitable for remote low power mineralogical analysis of lunar, planetary, or asteroid soils. It includes an X-ray diffractometer, fluorescence spectrometer, and sample preparation system. A one Curie Fe-55 source provides a monochromatic X-ray beam of 5.9 keV. Seeman-Bohlin or focusing geometry is employed in the camera, allowing peak detection to proceed simultaneously at all angles and obviating the need for moving parts. The detector system is an array of 500-600 proportional counters with a wire-spacing of 1 mm. An electronics unit comprising preamplifier, postamplifier, window discriminators, and storage flipflops requiring only 3.5 milliwatts was designed and tested. Total instrument power is less than 5 watts. Powder diffraction patterns using a flat breadboard multiwire counter were recorded.

Gregory, J. C.↗

Phosphate Textural Diversity in CI Chondrites and C-Type Asteroids

Introduction: Apatite, Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 (CL/F/OH-), is a ubiquitous phosphate found throughout the solar system, including the most primitive solids, CI-chondrites [1,2] and related samples of carbonaceous asteroids Ryugu [3] and Bennu [4], returned by JAXA’s Hayabusa2 and NASA’s OSIRIS-REx missions, respectively. Apatite in these primitive solids is found as individual grains or mineral clusters and has been inferred to form from the hydrothermal sequence during cooling of their respective parent body or bodies. To better understand the formation history and reworking of these early phosphates we have undertaken a highly coordinated study of phosphate microstructures, geochemistry and U/Pb geochronology from a suite of CI meteorites and carbonaceous asteroid samples. These data have identified novel phosphate microstructures and complex relationships across a suite of apatite grains from the early solar system, indicating multiple episodes of growth and modification on the CI parent body(ies). Methods: Samples of CI chondrites, Alais, Ivuna, Orgueil, Oued Chebeika 002, Yamato (Y) 82162, Y980115, Y980134, and two chips of Hayabusa2 Ryugu particles (A0262 and C0263) have been acquired for analysis. The bulk texture of the samples were first scanned by X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) using the Nikon XT H 320 within the XFACT facility at NASA JSC or the Xradia 620 Versa at the UTCT facility. Based on the identification of petrofabrics or features of interest from the XCT data, samples were chipped, oriented, potted in epoxy and thick sections were prepared. After anhydrously polishing the samples with silicon carbide and dry diamond powder down to 1 µm, the samples were ion polished using a Hitachi ArBlade. Energy dispersive Xray spectrometry (EDS) maps were collected to ID phosphates of interest using a JEOL 7900F SEM. The internal microstructures of identified phosphates were then mapped by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) using the JEOL 7900F. Based on the EDS and EBSD data, domains of interest were targeted for quantitative chemical analyses using a JEOL 8530 EPMA. Subsequently, in situ U-Pb and 207 Pb/ 206 Pb ages will be collected using a Cameca ims1290 secondary ion mass spectrometer at UCLA across a range of microstructures. Results: Apatite grains are ubiquitous throughout the CI chondrites and carbonaceous asteroid materials, found as individual grains, disseminated clusters or grain aggregates. Apatite grains are associated with serpentine, magnet-ite, and/or carbonate. Of particular interest, we have identified individual and aggregate polycrystalline grains ex-hibiting an internal ‘honeycomb’ texture (Fig. 1). Some of these grains appear overprinted by subsequent alteration while others remain unaltered. Apatite halogen sites are dominated by the missing component, assumed to be OH, and F, comparable to published values from Bennu, Ryugu and CM-chondrites [3-5]. However, the Yamato CI-like meteorites show a broader range of Cl values, and one grain from Alais is dominated by CL. Summary: Apatite growth features indicate a protracted and complex growth history, consistent with precipitation from an evolving fluid system. The ‘honeycomb’ texture identified in some CI meteorites is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of such a microstructure in meteoritic phosphate. The microtextures and zoning will guide subsequent age analyses, to better constrain the formation and reworking of phosphate in CI(-like) materials. Acknowledgments: We thank the National Institute of Polar Research, Japan for samples of Y82162, 980115 and 980134 meteorites, ASU’s Buseck Center for Meteorite Studies for samples of Ivuna and Alais meteorites, and JAXA curation for chips of Ryugu material. This work was funded by NASA ROSES LARS grant 24-LARS24-0014. References: [1] Morlok et al., 2016, GCA 70:5371-5394. [2] Alfin g et al., 2019, Geochemistry 79:125532. [3] Nakamura et al. (2022) Science 379:1-15. [4] Seifert et al. (2026) MAPS 61:504-521. [5] Piralla et al. (2021) MAPS 56:809-828.

CI chondrites↗

Specimen Holder Design Improves Accuracy of X-Ray Powder Analysis

Specimen holder for X ray diffraction analysis presents the specimen to the incident X rays in a curvature. This permits the use of an X ray beam having a larger divergence angle, the beam intensity is increased, and the statistical accuracy of analysis is improved.

Mack, M.↗