For quantitative interpretation of impact ionization spectra, analogue experiments in the lab are mandatory. For mineral and organic dust particles, this is achieved by electrostatic acceleration of micron and sub-micron sized dust grains of known composition that are fired upon duplicates of the space detectors.
Acceleration of icy particles to the desired speed is currently not possible. However, to simulate icy particle impact one can use a laser-driven analogue setup. Here a highly …