Surface Damage in Lamellar Lunar Regolith Grains

Abstract

Surface erosion and readhesion or absorption of reaction products (solid debris, gases, solidifying liquids) are the two main categories of continuous surface modifications on the submicroscopic and molecular level in the lunar regolith. The reactions on the atomistic level are induced by interactions of penetrating corpuscular radiation with the target lattice in its surface and subsurface layers. Ion implantation and electron excitation to higher energy levels into more or less shallow traps result in charge build-up. Charge redistribution is nondestructive, material redistribution by ion sputtering counteracts the erosive effects. Coherency strain along projectile paths is verified by increased susceptibility to various etching treatments. The sporadic large scale destructive effects are attributed to mechanical reactions, meteoroid impact, shock deformation, interface melting and spray of liquified silicates and metals.Occasional extensive disintegration of grain surfaces has been documented in the course of the fossil track, studies. The objective of the present investigation is to examine the response of the surface layer of selected regolith grains to mild etchants e.g. nonreactive polar solvents such as acetone.