Production of Carbon 14 by Solar Protons (original) (raw)

Abstract

The rate of production of carbon 14 by interaction of solar-proton-produced neutrons with atmospheric nitrogen is calculated for the period 1956-61. A time-average production rate of 0.05 to 0.12 carbon 14 atoms cm−2 sec−1, less than 5 per cent of the rate of production by galactic cosmic-ray neutrons, is obtained. Solar particle radiation of the intensity observed during the last solar cycle increases the neutron flux at high attitudes by more than an order of magnitude for short periods but does not significantly affect the atmospheric reservoir of carbon 14.

Abstract

The rate of production of carbon 14 by interaction of solar-proton-produced neutrons with atmospheric nitrogen is calculated for the period 1956-61. A time-average production rate of 0.05 to 0.12 carbon 14 atoms cm−2 sec−1, less than 5 per cent of the rate of production by galactic cosmic-ray neutrons, is obtained. Solar particle radiation of the intensity observed during the last solar cycle increases the neutron flux at high attitudes by more than an order of magnitude for short periods but does not significantly affect the atmospheric reservoir of carbon 14.