A Single ice particle accelerator in combination with a high(est) resolution mass detector: towards an ultimate laboratory analogue experiment for present and future ice moon missions

Small ice particles play an important role in atmospheric and extraterrestrial chemistry. Circumplanetary ice particles that are encountered by space probes at hyper velocities play a critical role in the determination of surface and subsurface properties of their source bodies. Here we present an instrument for the generation of low-intensity beams of single mass-selected charged ice particles under vacuum (SELINA). They are produced via electrospray ionization of water at atmospheric pressure and undergo evaporative cooling when transferred to vacuum through an atmospheric vacuum interface. m/z selection is achieved through two subsequent quadrupole mass filters operated in the variable-frequency mode, and post acceleration is achieved by a LINAC.  From the known electrostatic acceleration potentials and settings of the quadrupoles the particle masses, charges, and velocities can be accurately controlled. The selected ice nanoparticle accelerator hypervelocity impact mass spectrometer (SELINA-HIMS) features hypervelocity ice grains and enables real analogue experiments in the laboratory. Results will be presented for coupling/testing the ice accelerator with a high-resolution time-of-flight instrument. Ultimately, we present first experiments with a mass detector with a resolution of R=66000 based upon orbitrap technology. All components in combination will enable an ultimate analogue experiment for present and future missions to the ice moons of our solar system.