A zero-gravity instrument to study low velocity collisions of fragile particles at low temperatures

Salter, D. M. and Heisselmann, D. and Chaparro, G. and van der Wolk, G. and Reissaus, P. and Borst, A. G. and Dawson, R. W. and de Kuyper, E. and Drinkwater, G. and Gebauer, K. and Hutcheon, M. and Linnartz, H. and Molster, F. J. and Stoll, B. and van der Tuijn, P. C. and Fraser, H. J. and Blum, J. (2009) A zero-gravity instrument to study low velocity collisions of fragile particles at low temperatures. Review of Scientific Instruments, 80 (7). 074501. ISSN 0034-6748 (https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3155508)

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Abstract

We discuss the design, operation, and performance of a vacuum setup constructed for use in zero (or reduced) gravity conditions to initiate collisions of fragile millimeter-sized particles at low velocity and temperature. Such particles are typically found in many astronomical settings and in regions of planet formation. The instrument has participated in four parabolic flight campaigns to date, operating for a total of 2.4 h in reduced-gravity conditions and successfully recording over 300 separate collisions of loosely packed dust aggregates and ice samples. The imparted particle velocities achieved range from 0.03 to 0.28 m s(-1) and a high-speed, high-resolution camera captures the events at 107 frames/s from two viewing angles separated by either 48.8 degrees or 60.0 degrees. The particles can be stored inside the experiment vacuum chamber at temperatures of 80-300 K for several uninterrupted hours using a built-in thermal accumulation system. The copper structure allows cooling down to cryogenic temperatures before commencement of the experiments. Throughout the parabolic flight campaigns, add-ons and modifications have been made, illustrating the instrument flexibility in the study of small particle collisions.

  • Item type:Article
    ID code:19026
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    July 2009
    Published
    Subjects:Science > Physics
    Department:Faculty of Science > Physics
    Depositing user: Strathprints Administrator
    Date deposited:25 May 2010 10:28
    Last modified:08 Apr 2024 17:53
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/19026
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