Cosmic ray induced thermoluminescence in meteorites

Abstract

The observed thermoluminescence level in a meteorite is found to be a complex function of the cosmic ray dose rate, the orbital parameters and the size of the parent bodY, as also of the thermal and shock effects associated with its traversal through the terrestrial atmosphere. In an effort to understand the energy spectrum and the intensity of cosmic rays during the past few m.y., we have carried out study on TL levels on a suite of eight chondrites with effective preatmospheric radius in the range of 6 to 29 cms. A comparative study of the depth profile of TL with those of fossil track density, ²⁶Al and ⁵³Mn allows us to determine the cosmic ray erergy spectrum in the ev-MeV range. These studies also enable us to assess the thermal effects associated Wiel meteorite ablation and orientation during its terrestrial trajectory.