Measurements of 41Ca spallation cross sections and 41Ca concentrations in the Grant meteorite by accelerator mass spectrometry

Systematic measurements of spallogenic 41Ca in the iron meteorite Grant and in proton irradiated elemental Ni, Fe and Ti targets have been made by accelerator mass spectrometry using a 14UD Pelletron accelerator. Spallation (p, 41Ca) cross sections, were measured for proton energies between 40 and 600 MeV. For the Grant meteorite 5 samples at various depths, ranging from the post-atmospheric surface to centre, were measured in order to investigate the depth production profile of 41Ca. Using the measured excitation function for 41Ca on Fe, the production rate due solely to primary galactic cosmic rays is estimated and the importance of secondary flux production for 41Ca in a large meteorite is discussed. (orig.)