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Cosmic-ray-produced stable isotopes in iron meteorites

Journal Article · · Journal of Geophysical Research
The isotopic composition of vanadium, calcium, and potassium extracted from several iron meteorites was measured. The isotopes V⁵⁰, Ca⁴⁶, Ca⁴³, and K⁴⁰ were found to be strongly enriched by cosmic-ray- induced spallation reactions. The concentrations of these isotopes were determined by isotopic dilution techniques. The results are compared with data on cosmogenic Sc/sup 45/ and rare gas isotopes in order to determine the distribution of stable spallation products. The concentration C(A,Z) of a stable spallation product can be given as a function of the total mass loss DELTA A = 56 -- A by the equation C(A,Z) = gamma (A,Z)k₁( DELTA A)-k₂ where gamma = 1 for cumulative and 0 < gamma < 1 for noncumulative isotopes. This equation is experimentally verified for a wide range of DELTA A. The constants k₁ and k₂ were calculated for each meteorite. Especially from the constants k₂ we obtain information concerning the location of the samples inside of the preatmospheric meteorite bodies. Exposure ages were estimated by comparing the concentrations of K⁴⁰ with those of stable isotopes. Comparison with Cl₃₆-Ar₃₆ exposure ages indicates an essentially constant cosmic-ray bombardment during the time of exposure. (auth)
Research Organization:
Univ. of California, San Diego
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
NSA Number:
NSA-17-003177
OSTI ID:
4761931
Journal Information:
Journal of Geophysical Research, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 67; ISSN 0148-0227
Publisher:
American Geophysical Union
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English

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