SPACE TWEEZERS – Spectroscopy of Planetary and AtmospheriC particulatE by optical Tweezers

SPACE TWEEZERS – Spectroscopy of Planetary and AtmospheriC particulatE by optical Tweezers

Duration: From 02 Dec 2019 to 15 May 2023 (3.5 years)

Funding Institution: Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI) and Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF) through ASI-INAF Initiative “Accordo Attuativo ASI-INAF n. 2018-16-HH.0”

Contact person: O. M. Maragò

Website:  www.spacetweezers.org

In this research we used OT to trap and spectroscopically characterize extraterrestrial dust particles and/or their analogs. This study gives solid ground for the application of OT techniques to solar system study, e.g., cometary particles analyses and dust particles on Lunar surfaces. Such application is strategic for the “clean” characterization of restricted and unrestricted samples of planetary bodies returned from space missions in curatorial facilities.

Other people involved: M. G. DonatoA. FotiP. G. GucciardiM. A. IatìD. Bronte Ciriza, A. Magazzù, S. Marrara, P. Polimeno, A. Saidi (IPCF). P. Zemanek, O. Brzobohaty (ISI-CAS Brno); O. Munoz (Instituo de Astrofisica de Andalucia); G. Volpe (University of Gothenburg); Y.-J. Chen (National Central University; Taiwan)