ISSO Y2005 Annual Report | Contents

Magnetic Microscopy Studies of Magnetotactic Fossils on Martian Meteorite ALH84001 and Related Earthbound Analog Systems • 89-92
Jaroslaw Wosik, John H. Miller, Jr., David S. McKay, David Warmflash, Maged Kamel, Chinmay Darne, Lian Xue, Li Zhong
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Abstract--Major objectives of this work are to further develop high frequency techniques for use in non-distractive characterization of magnetite crystals found in Martian meteorites and related earthbound simulant analog systems. These techniques are utilized mainly for the complex permittivity, permeability, and conductivity characterization of both solid-state and biological samples. Researchers at the University of Houston have made further progress in the development of three characterization tools: (a) we extended the frequency range up to mm-wavelengths using novel approaches, including an open confocal resonator technique, (b) developed a high-spatial resolution near-field microwave microscopy probe to provide a unique method of characterizing tiny magnetite samples with lateral dimensions of an order of 1 micron, and (c) demonstrated that the ferromagnetic resonance technique (FMR) can provide a rapid, easy-to-use method for detecting signatures of magnetic components of even very small samples. Tiny super paramagnetic particles used in medicine as magnetic resonance contrast agents were employed for these preliminary studies.