High Energy Particles in Dark Molecular Clouds

The observational database on the galactic IR, gamma and cosmic ray spectra is explored to determine if spallation processes are responsible for the formation of Li-6 in the supernovae of massive short-lived stars. The massive stars would have been companions of solar-type stars, and the resulting Li-6/Li-7 ratio of about 0.1 would be diluted in planetary formation processes. Consideration is directed at OB associations in dark clouds, which undergo about 10 supernova explosions over their lifetime and could yield sufficient numbers of fast particles to account for local enrichments. The data discussed, accumulated with the COS-B, Einstein and HEAO-3 satellites, covers high and low energy gamma rays and DCO(+)/HCO(+) ratios in dark clouds, IR luminosities and X-ray fluxes. Insufficient particle enhancements are indicated for the areas of OB associations, thereby weakening their candidacy as sources of Li enrichments.