Radioactivity induced in the earth's atmosphere by solar particles

The study examines the production of tritium and radiocarbon in the earth's atmosphere by solar flare particles consisting mainly of low-energy protons in addition to alpha particles and medium nuclei. It is shown that the occurrence of large solar flares gives rise to measurable quantities of tritium and radiocarbon in the earth's atmosphere. The increase in the atmospheric tritium and radiocarbon concentrations by solar protons during the solar cycle 19 is determined. The experimental difficulties in evaluating the influence of solar flares on the production of isotopes in the earth's atmosphere arise from the fact that the natural inventory of isotopes which are supposed to be the most affected by solar flares, i.e., tritium and radiocarbon, is altered by nuclear bomb explosions. It is therefore necessary to use another isotope like Be-7.