The UK Cosmochemical Analysis Network

英国宇宙化学分析网络（UK CAN）是一个以实验室为基础的天文学家协会，他们研究各种形式的地外物质。参与UKCAN的主要机构有：开放大学（OU）；曼彻斯特大学（UoM）；自然历史博物馆(NHM)/帝国理工学院（IC）。这些研究所以新仪器的形式为该网络提供了重要的支持：OU / NanoSIMS /高分辨率，高精度同位素想象质谱仪系统UoM /软溅射离子枪用于高分辨率元素/分子测绘NHM/IC /高分辨率x射线衍射显微镜。我们的研究关注(i)行星系统的起源和演化以及（ii）对可居住世界的定义的更完整的理解。这些主题被欧空局认为是其当前极光计划的主要主题，也是其“2015-2025年宇宙愿景”规划战略的主要主题。我们的目标是加强英国CAN，以便为实现PPARC的太阳系战略中制定的相关目标提供最有效的仪器。提出这一要求的动力来自：即将从目前正在执行的空间任务中返回地球的地外物质；行星和空间探索计划提供及时的框架，以便为今后的取样返回任务开发技术和仪器；技术的发展正在提高仪器的分析精度和空间分辨率。发展地外物质分析新技术，应用于原核合成凝聚物、星周颗粒、星际分子、太阳系原始凝聚物、月球和火星样品、彗星尘埃、小行星样品回收和太阳风收集器等领域。该提案是在开放大学建立170万英镑的NanoSIMS 50L。这是最新一代SIMS仪器，能够生成50纳米分辨率的同位素成像图，以及微米尺度的高精度（每mil）同位素比测量。要达到这样的性能水平，需要在开发协议和方法、软件程序、广泛校准和优化仪器性能等方面付出相当大的努力。所寻求的资金是为了开发这种尖端设备，使其能够按照英国宇宙化学社区的要求，常规地用于广泛的行星和宇宙化学应用。除了为前沿科学提供基础设施外，我们将：培养新一代宇宙化学家和行星科学家从事实验室天文学；为与英国其他社区的合作研究提供实验室设施；进一步提高英国民众对行星科学的认识，以激发下一代对科学和科学事业的兴趣；为学生和博士后研究人员提供可以转移到学术界内外职业的技能和技术，为技术能力日益增强的劳动力做出贡献。

The UK Cosmochemical Analysis Network (UK CAN) is an association of laboratory-based astronomers who study extraterrestrial material in all its forms. The principle institutes involved in UKCAN are: The Open University (OU); University of Manchester (UoM); and The Natural History Museum (NHM)/Imperial College (IC). These institutes have contributed significant support for this network in the form of new instruments: OU / NanoSIMS / a high resolution, high precision isotope imagining mass spectrometer system UoM / soft-sputter ion gun for TOFSIMS for high resolution elemental/molecular mapping NHM/IC / a high resolution X-ray diffraction microscope Our research concerns (i) the origin and evolution of planetary systems and (ii) a more complete understanding of what defines an habitable world. These subjects are recognised by the ESA as major themes in its current Aurora programme, and in the planning strategy for its 'Cosmic Vision 2015-2025'. Our goal is to strengthen the UK CAN, in order to provide the most effective instrumentation for delivering the relevant objectives laid out in the PPARC's Solar System strategy. The impetus for this request comes from: the forthcoming return of extraterrestrial material to Earth from currently operational space missions; plans for planetary and space exploration that provide a timely framework in which to develop techniques and instrumentation for future sample-return missions; technological developments that are advancing the analytical precision and spatial resolution of instrumentation. We will develop new analytical techniques for the study of extraterrestrial materials, and apply these to primary nucleosynthetic condensates, circumstellar grains, interstellar molecules, primitive Solar System condensates, samples from Moon and Mars, cometary dust, asteroid sample-returns and solar wind collectors. This proposal is to establish the £1.7M NanoSIMS 50L at the Open University. This is the latest generation SIMS instrument, capable of generating isotope imaging maps at 50nm resolution as well as high precision (per mil) isotope ratio measurements at the micron scale. To achieve such levels of performance requires considerable effort in developing protocols and methods, software routines, extensive calibration and optimisation of the performance of the instrument, etc. The funding sought is to develop this cutting edge equipment to a state where it can be used routinely for a wide range of planetary and cosmochemical applications required by the UK cosmochemical community. In addition to providing the infrastructure for cutting-edge science, we will: train a new generation of cosmochemists and planetary scientists to engage in laboratory-based astronomy; provide laboratory facilities for collaborative research with the rest of the UK community; further enhance the profile of planetary science in the UK population in order to stimulate interest in science and careers in science for the next generation; provide students and post-doctoral researchers with skills and techniques that can be transferred into careers within and beyond academia, contributing towards an increasingly technologically competent workforce.