Removal of Lunar Dust Simulant from Cold Dielectric Surfaces with Electron Beam

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that low-energy electron beams can effectively remove lunar dust simulant from cold surfaces in vacuum, with potential applications for lunar exploration, especially in extremely cold lunar regions.

Contribution

It is the first experimental demonstration of dust lofting from cold surfaces at -123°C using electron beams, exploring effects of temperature and beam parameters.

Findings

Dust lofting slows down at lower temperatures.

Optimal electron beam energy sweep accelerates dust removal.

Dust removal is effective at temperatures as low as -123°C.

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that lunar dust simulant can be efficiently lofted and removed from various room temperature surfaces in vacuum when exposed to a low-energy electron beam. This provides a potential solution to the well-known dust risks associated with future lunar exploration. Considering its application in extremely cold regions on the Moon, we experimentally demonstrated dust lofting from surfaces at temperatures as low as -123degC using an electron beam. Compared to room temperature applications, we found that the dust lofting from a glass surface slows down significantly at lower temperatures. Possible reasons are discussed. We also found that the dust lofting process can be accelerated when the electron beam energy is swept within an optimal range and rate.