The distribution of cosmic-ray-produced rare gases in iron meteorites

Abstract

The cosmogenic Ar/sup 38/, Ar/sup 36/, Ne/sup 22/, Ne/sup 21/, Ne/sup 2/ s/sup 0/, He/sup 4/, and He/sup 3/ distribution in part of a cross section of the iron meteorite Grant was measured. The amounts were found to vary systematically with depth. The depth effect was analyzed in terms of a production mechanism, and numerical parameters were determined. Comparisons were made with the results of other investigations. Functional relationships correlating relative amounts of cosmogenic nuclides with position and size of a meteoritic body are demonstrated. In principle the determination of a sufficient number of cosmogenic nuclides in a single sample permits deductions about the radiation dosage and the size of the meteoroid as well as the location of the sample within the body. (auth)