| Abstract: | Excesses of 80Kr and 82Kr, produced by secondary neutron capture effects of 79Br and 81Br, were observed in meteorites. Epithermal neutron flux, Jn (30-300 eV), and fast neutron flux, Jn( > 5 MeV), were determined according to reactions of 79Br(n, γβ80Kr, 81Br(n, γβ82Kr, and 24Mg(n, α)21Ne, respectively. Cosmogenic noble gases of several ordinary chondrites fell in China indicate a positive relationship between Jn (30-300 eV)/Jn ( > 5 MeV) ratio and Jn (30-300 eV). This suggests large pre-atmospheric sizes of the meteorites, and a considerable fraction of the secondary neutrons were slowed down to epithermal energy. According to its relationship with Jn (30-300 eV)/Jn ( > 5 MeV) ratio, the pre-atmospheric minimum radii and masses of several Chinese chondrites were estimated as below: Zhaodong: 60 cm, 3200 kg; Laochengzhen: 23 cm, 490 kg; Suizhou: 31 cm, 450 kg; Xi Ujimgin: 22 cm, 160 kg; Dongtai: 21 cm, 140 kg. |
