Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Solar Wind Implantation in the Permanently Shadowed Regions on the Lunar Surface

Abstract

Abstract Reactive molecular dynamics simulations are carried out to investigate solar wind implantation on lunar surface. This study resolves both the chemical reactions and physical interactions of implantation, analyzes the effects from hydroxyl saturation, solar wind reflection, and water molecule sputtering, and quantifies the contribution of solar wind proton implantation on lunar water formation. The results show that, while solar wind implantation can lead to the formation of some hydroxyl groups and water molecules, the contribution by the implantation process itself is not significant enough to account for the observed lunar water content.

Keywords

• solar wind implantation
• lunar volatile
• molecular dynamics simulation