Nitrogen in solar energetic particles: Isotopically distinct from solar wind

K. J. Mathew, J. F. Kerridge, K. Marti

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Stepwise etching of lunar soil ilmenite grains reveals that the 15N/14N ratio of implanted nitrogen decreases with increasing implantation depth within the ilmenite grains, i.e., with increasing energy of implantation. These results show that N derived from solar energetic particles, N(SEP), is enriched in the light isotope, 14N, relative to solar-wind nitrogen, N(SW). This is in striking contrast to the neon isotopic record: Ne(SEP) is depleted in the light isotope, 20Ne, relative to Ne(SW). These data suggest either distinct signatures in the respective solar source regions, or fractionation in the acceleration mechanism(s). However, the observed opposite fractionation trends for light N and Ne isotopes do not agree with model predictions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4293-4296
Number of pages4
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume25
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 1999
Externally publishedYes

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