Preparation of lunar sample and meteorite mock-ups: Or how to make rocks

In order to accurately determine the cosmogenic and primordial radionuclide concentrations in meteorites and lunar samples, it is necessary to prepare mock-ups containing known concentrations of the radioisotopes of interest. This paper describes a technique for preparing such mock-ups containing known concentrations of homogeneously distributed radionuclides within a matrix having the same gamma-ray attenuation characteristics as the original rock. The procedure can be modified to reproduce other elemental or physical characteristics as required. (orig.)