Masayuki Uesugi¹ et al. (>10)*
*Find the extensive, full author and affiliation list on the publishers website.

¹JAXA Space Exploration Center, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, 3-1-1 Yoshinodai, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan

We report the investigation of cutting methods for Hayabusa samples. The purpose of our study is to explore the possibility of applying multiple analyses to a single particle effectively. We investigated the cutting performance of a blade dicing saw, laser, focused ion beam (FIB), and physical breaking by microindenter. Cutting performance was examined by estimating the aspect ratio of the cut slit, i.e., depth over width of the slit. We also investigated the possible contamination and sample damage by cutting. The result of the investigation shows that we can cut the samples from <50 μm to 500 μm using those methods with aspect ratios from 10 to 20, although they would introduce some contamination or damage to the samples. Our investigations also provide an important basis for the analysis of samples obtained by future sample return missions.

Reference
Uesugi et al. (in press) Investigation of cutting methods for small samples of Hayabusa and future sample return missions. Meteoritics & Planetary Science
[doi:10.1111/maps.12322]
Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons

Link to Article