ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY FOR COMETARY DUST

摘要

The instrument MIDAS (Micro-Imaging Dust Analysis System) is part of the Rosetta Orbiter payload and will provide three dimensional images and statistical parameters of dust particles captured from the coma of comet 46P/Wirtanen at a resolution down to a few nanometres. These images will help to understand the formation processes of cometary material and the role of the organic and inorganic components therein. The main components of the instrument are an atomic force microscope and a dust collection and target manipulation system. The paper shows the solutions found in various technical areas to achieve the high requirements for this mission on resolution, positioning accuracy, mechanical stability, and reliability.