Redefining the Geologic Timescale of the Solar System by Accurately Determining the Half-Life of Samarium-146 with Magnetic Microcalorimeters
Geonbo Kim | 20-LW-024
Executive Summary
We propose to resolve two major controversies about the timing and mechanism of lunar solidification and differentiation of Mars in the early solar system by using an ultra-high-resolution magnetic microcalorimeter to accurately re-measure the half-life of long-lived samarium-146 (an important isotopic chronometer). This project supports national missions in forensic science.
Publications, Presentations, and Patents
A. Kavner, et al., 2021. "A Novel Approach using Sapphire Crystals and Magnetic Microcalorimeters for Nuclear Material Analysis." 2021 IEEE Symposium on Radiation Measurements and Applications. LLNL-CONF-820590.
G. B. Kim, et al., 2021. "Determining the Controversial Sm-146 Half-Life Using Metallic Magnetic Calorimeters for Early Solar System Chronology." LLNL-POST-824258.
G. B. Kim, et al., 2021. "Determining the Controversial Sm-146 Half-Life with Magnetic Microcalorimeters." LLNL-POST-816152.
G. B. Kim, 2021. "Sm-146 Half-life and Absolute Efficiency in Alpha Counting." LLNL-PRES-820798.
A. R. L. Kavner, et al., 2021. "Systematic Effects of Pile-up in Cryogenic Decay Energy Spectroscopy." LLNL-POST-824569.
