Investigation of Dust Grains by Optical Tweezers for Space Applications

Cosmic dust plays a dominant role in the universe, especially in the formation of stars and planetary systems. Furthermore, the surface of cosmic dust grains is the benchwork where molecular hydrogen and simple organic compounds are formed. We manipulate individual dust particles in a water solution by contactless and noninvasive techniques such as standard optical and Raman tweezers, to characterize their response to mechanical effects of light (optical forces and torques) and to determine their mineral compositions. Moreover, we show accurate optical force calculations in the T-matrix formalism highlighting the key role of composition and complex morphology in the optical trapping of cosmic dust particles. This opens perspectives for future applications of optical tweezers in curation facilities for sample-return missions or in extraterrestrial environments.

Automated summary

Cosmic dust is crucial in the formation of stars and planetary systems, as it serves as the foundation for the creation of molecular hydrogen and simple organic compounds. Through noninvasive techniques such as optical and Raman tweezers, we are able to manipulate individual dust particles in a water solution to determine their response to optical forces and torques, as well as their mineral composition. Additionally, our accurate calculations using the T-matrix formalism emphasize the role of composition and complex morphology in the optical trapping of cosmic dust particles, presenting potential applications in curation facilities for sample-return missions or extraterrestrial environments.