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Lithium nucleosynthesis in the Sun inferred from the solar-wind 7Li/6Li ratio

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Listed:
  • Marc Chaussidon

    (CRPG-CNRS)

  • François Robert

    (MNHN-CNRS)

Abstract

The abundance of lithium measured in meteorites has generally been assumed to be the ‘Solar System value’, which presumably reflects the abundance in the gas cloud out of which the Sun formed1. Lithium is a factor of 140 less abundant in the solar photosphere than in meteorites2; this difference has been attributed to the destruction of lithium (through nuclear reactions) at the base of the Sun's convection zone3,4,5. If this is correct, then the ratio of 7Li/6Li in the Sun's photosphere should be ∼106 (ref. 6), as 6Li is destroyed much more easily (at a lower temperature) than 7Li: the meteoritic abundance ratio is 7Li/6Li = 12.14 (ref. 7). Here we report that 7Li/6Li = 31 ± 4 for lithium in the solar wind that has been implanted in lunar soil. This low ratio suggests that lithium is produced when energetic protons from solar flares induce spallation reactions with 16O and 12C present in the photosphere.

Suggested Citation

  • Marc Chaussidon & François Robert, 1999. "Lithium nucleosynthesis in the Sun inferred from the solar-wind 7Li/6Li ratio," Nature, Nature, vol. 402(6759), pages 270-273, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:402:y:1999:i:6759:d:10.1038_46235
    DOI: 10.1038/46235
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