Geochemical constraints on the half-life of {sup 130}Te

Journal Article · Fri Nov 14 23:00:00 EST 2008 · Physical Review. C, Nuclear Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVC.78.054606· OSTI ID:21199378

Thomas, H V; Pattrick, R A. D.; Crowther, S A; Blagburn, D J; Gilmour, J D ^[1]

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1. 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, Journal Name: Physical Review. C, Nuclear Physics Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 78; ISSN 0556-2813; ISSN PRVCAN
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
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