Geochemical constraints on the half-life of {sup 130}Te
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL (United Kingdom)
To determine the half-life of {sup 130}Te we have analyzed multiple aliquots of geological telluride samples 100 times smaller than those previously reported using a unique resonance ionization mass spectrometer. We employ a low-fluence neutron irradiation that allows determination of parent and daughter from the same xenon isotopic analysis. Step heating of these irradiated samples allows the {sup 130}Xe/{sup 132}Xe ratio of fluids trapped inside the tellurides to be determined. Considering only samples where the trapped {sup 130}Xe/{sup 132}Xe ratio is demonstrably consistent with atmospheric xenon, we can avoid over- or under-estimating the half-life due to redistribution or inheritance of radiogenic {sup 130}Xe. Combining our work with literature data, it is clear that several relatively young samples have retained xenon quantitatively since formation, allowing the half-life to be determined as (8.0{+-}1.1)x10{sup 20} yr. Older samples have clearly been affected by post-formation processing. This suggests that there is little hope of monitoring solar luminosity through the geological record of {sup 126}Xe production by solar neutrinos, but it is possible that geologically useful chronological information can be obtained from this system.
- OSTI ID:
- 21199378
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. C, Nuclear Physics, Vol. 78, Issue 5; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevC.78.054606; (c) 2008 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0556-2813
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
DAUGHTER PRODUCTS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
GEOCHEMISTRY
HALF-LIFE
IRRADIATION
ISOTOPE PRODUCTION
ISOTOPE RATIO
LUMINOSITY
MASS SPECTROMETERS
NEUTRON BEAMS
NEUTRON FLUENCE
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
SOLAR NEUTRINOS
TELLURIDES
TELLURIUM 130
TRAPPING
XENON
XENON 126
XENON 130
XENON 132