40Ar/39Ar dating of terrestrial minerals with a continuous laser
Abstract
A new method of fusing samples for 40Ar/39Ar dating using a continuous argon-ion laser is presented. Samples of hornblende, biotite, muscovite and slate were fused with a continuous laser and the results obtained agree with acres determined using our radio-frequency (RF) fusion system. By varying the laser beam power level, it was possible to perform a step-heating laser fusion of the slate which closely matched two RF step-heating runs on the same material. Thus, not only does the continuous laser give an age-microprobe capability, but it can routinely perform multi-step heating experiments which are crucial to 40Ar/39Ar age interpretation.
- Publication:
-
Geophysical Research Letters
- Pub Date:
- November 1981
- DOI:
- 10.1029/GL008i011p01136
- Bibcode:
- 1981GeoRL...8.1136Y