The early solar system abundance of Pu-244 as inferred from the St. Severin chondriteThe isotopic composition of Xe released in stepwise heating of neutron-irradiated samples of the St. Severin chondrite was measured. This analysis shows that at the time of formation of most chondritic meteorites, approximately 4.56 x 10 to the 9th yr ago, the atomic ratio of Pu-244/U-238 was 0.0068 + or - 0.0010 in chondritic meteorites. This value is believed to be more reliable that inferred from earlier analyses of St. Severin and is the best estimate for the early solar system abundance of Pu-244. The comparison of Xe compositions between irradiated and unirradiated samples shows that the composition of trapped (ambient) Xe in St. Severin has a significantly lower value of Xe-136/Xe-130 than average carbonaceous chondrites.
Document ID
19890049163
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Hudson, G. B. (Washington Univ. Saint Louis, MO, United States)
Kennedy, B. M. (Washington Univ. Saint Louis, MO, United States)
Podosek, F. A. (Washington Univ. Saint Louis, MO, United States)
Hohenberg, C. M. (Washington University Saint Louis, MO, United States)