Production of cosmogenic nuclides in meteoroids: simulation experiments and modelling

Abstract

The production of cosmogenic nuclides in meteoroids by galactic protons was simulated in a series of thick-target experiments at the 600-MeV proton beam of the CERN synchrocyclotron. Using a special technique, isotropic irradiation of three artificial meteoroids made out of diorite and gabbro with radii of 5, 15 and 25 cm was performed. Results obtained for the production of ²²Na, ⁴⁴Ti and ¹⁰Be from Ti and Fe are reported. The experimental data were compared with model calculations based on Monte Carlo calculations of the high-energy transport of primary and secondary particles and on experimental and theoretical thin-target excitation functions. A method for translating the results obtained for the monoenergetic 600-MeV irradiations to real irradiation in space by a complex p-spectrum is presented.