Magnetic vortex state of natural lunar γ-Fe
On the lunar surface α-Fe and Fe-Ni alloys are widespread and the dominant carriers of the lunar remanent magnetization. Metallic γ-Fe, however, is stable only at high temperatures and has not been documented in lunar samples. Here we report the identification of ambient stable γ-Fe preserved as nanometer-scale particles in Chang’e-6 impact glass fragments from the South Pole-Aitken Basin. Electron holography analyses reveal that these γ-Fe particles have a magnetic vortex domain state. Based on these results, we propose that the formation and preservation of γ-Fe at lunar surface temperature requires incorporation of trace γ-phase-stabilizing elements together with extremely rapid quenching during lunar impact processes. Our findings provide a basis for understanding the lunar core dynamo evolution and impact-induced magnetic recording mechanisms.
Authors
- Dongsheng Song (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1975-7671)
- Haifeng Du (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4263-5023)
- Ann M. Hirt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2193-0472)
- Zheng Gong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9482-5545)
- Wyn Williams (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9210-7574)
- Kelei Zhu
- Ziliang Jin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1852-9362)
- Jinhua Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1622-6170)
- Pengfei Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6257-8866)
- Jing Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1905-0385)
- Keke Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6831-9179)
- Xiandi Zeng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3781-2614)
- Kang Wang
- Chuanxin Yan
- Long Li
Institutions
- Macau University of Science and Technology (MO)
- Planetary Science Institute (US)
- Anhui University (CN)
- Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (CN)
- Institute of Geology and Geophysics (AZ)
- Institute of Geophysics (RU)
- Institute of Geology and Geophysics (CN)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
- Nanjing University (CN)
- University of Edinburgh (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- Published
- 2026-09-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2608395123
- Primary Topic
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00