The Complex Irradiation Facility at DLR-Bremen

Abstract

All material exposed to interplanetary space conditions are subject to degradation processes. For obvious reasons there is a great interest to study these processes for materials that are used in satellite construction. However, also the influence of particle and electromagnetic radiation on the weathering of extraterrestrial rocks and on organic and biological tissues is the research topic of various scientific disciplines. To strengthen the comprehensive and systematic investigation of degradation processes a new laboratory, the complex irradiation facility (CIF), has been designed, set up, tested, and put into operation at the DLR-Institute of Space Systems in Bremen (Germany). The CIF allows the simultaneous irradiation with three light sources and with a dual beam irradiation system for the bombardment of materials with electrons and protons having energies up to 100 keV. It is eminently suitable to perform a large variety of irradiation procedures that are similar to those which appear at different distances to the Sun. This paper is devoted to potential users in order to inform them about the capabilities of the CIF.