A neon-E rich phase in Orgueil: results obtained on density separates

He, Ne and Ar were measured with the stepwise heating technique in 8 density separates from the Ne-E rich phase G4j of the carbonaceous chondrite Orgueil. The density separation technique was successful in further enriching the Ne-E carrier phases. Ne-E seems to be virtually pure 22Ne with ( 20 Ne 22 Ne ) E ≦ 0.15 and ( 21 Ne 22 Ne ) E ≦ 0.0022 . At least two separable carrier phases exist. The 1-carrier phase releases its Ne-E at low temperatures (≦ 900°C) and is heavily enriched in the low density separate (≦ 2.3 g cm−3). The h-carrier phase is very retentive (release temperatures > 900°C) and is associated with higher density material (∼ 3 to 3.5 g cm−3). The l-carrier phase could be a form of carbon. Our evidence does not support spinel as an h-carrier phase, as proposed by Alaerts et al. (1980). Ne-E and its carrier phases are most likely of presolar origin.