Laboratory studies to interpret cosmic dust properties in various astrophysical environments

The identification of cosmic dust properties is one of the main goals of modern astrophysics. Cosmic dust plays an active role in several space environments, from interstellar and circumstellar media to comets and planet surface and atmosphere. Laboratory analyses allow us to interpret observations and,to validate theoretical models on a quantitative basis. A new generation of ''laboratory astrophysics'' is nowadays devoted to systematic experiments under carefully controlled and reproducible conditions. Materials of the same classes (e.g. carbon-based and silicates) with different physicochemical properties are produced and analysed to correlate their optical behaviour to the intimate nature of samples. The Cosmic Physics Laboratory in Naples has placed a strong effort in this field. The purpose of the present paper is to give an overview of different lines of research, presently under development, aimed at a better understanding of cosmic ''analogue'' materials. Results concerning silicate and carbon grains and Martian regolith simulators and isolated carbon grains are presented. They will be of major importance for the interpretation of astronomical results that are available, or will be available in the near future, from space-borne observatories (e.g. HST and ISO) and/or space missions aimed at close observations of planets (Mars and Saturn) and comets (Rosetta mission to 46P/Wirtanen).