A refractory Ca-SiO-H2-O2 vapor condensation experiment with implications for calciosilica dust transforming to silicate and carbonate minerals

Frans J.M. Rietmeijer, Aurora Pun, Yuki Kimura, Joseph A. Nuth

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Condensates produced in a laboratory condensation experiment of a refractory Ca-SiO-H2-O2 vapor define four specific and predictable deep metastable eutectic calciosilica compositions. The condensed nanograins are amorphous solids, including those with the stoichiometric CaSiO3 pyroxene composition. In evolving dust-condensing astronomical environments they will be highly suitable precursors for thermally supported, dust-aging reactions whereby the condensates form more complex refractory silicates, e.g., diopside and wollastonite, and calcite and dolomite carbonates. This kinetically controlled condensation experiment shows how the aging of amorphous refractory condensates could produce the same minerals that are thought to require high-temperature equilibrium condensation. We submit that evidence for this thermal annealing of dust will be the astronomical detection of silica (amorphous or crystalline) that is the common, predicted, by-product of most of these reactions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)493-503
Number of pages11
JournalIcarus
Volume195
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008 May
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Comets
  • Disks
  • Experimental techniques
  • Mineralogy
  • dust

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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