Capture of particles in hypervelocity impacts in aerogel

The capture in aerogel of 106 mum diameter glass beads is investigated for impact speeds of 1 to 7.5 km s(-1). Three different aerogel densities were used, 60, 96 and 180 kg m(-3). It was found that the length of the penetrat ion track in the aerogel increases with speed until a maximum is reached. A bove the maximum speed the track length decreases. This behaviour is simila r to that which has previously been observed for particles impacting polyst yrene foams and porous alumina. Whilst track length was not found to be an unambiguous indicator of impact speed, the excavated track volume was found to be a suitable indictor of speed. Further, it was possible to estimate t he original particle size by measurements of the track volume and entrance hole size. In addition sub-100 mum diameter particles composed of various m inerals were fired into aerogel and the characterisation of the particles i n situ by use of a Raman spectrometer was evaluated. This was found to work well, giving vibrational spectra essentially similar to those of the bulk minerals, thus providing a mineralogical rather than an elemental signature for the captured particles.