Galactic cosmic-ray-produced thermoluminescence profiles in meteorites, lunar samples and a terrestrial analog

by Benoit, P. H.; Chen, Y. H.

The long-term radiation shielding properties of common extraterrestrial materials are poorly known, although these materials are the most likely structural elements on airless worlds such as the Moon. We report on radiation dose profiles in meteorites and lunar soil cores using specific minerals as naturally-occuring ''dosimeters''. We find that radiation profiles are fairly flat in typical meteoroid bodies (<85 cm radius) and drop by only about 40% through about 2.5 m of lunar soil. These profiles are produced by primary galactic cosmic rays and the secondary proton cascade but with a significant contribution by secondary neutrons at depths of about 2 m (300 g/cm(2)).

Journal
Radiation Measurements
Volume
26
Issue
2
Year
1996
Start Page
281-289
URL
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/1350-4487(95)00302-9
ISBN/ISSN
1879-0925; 1350-4487
DOI
10.1016/1350-4487(95)00302-9