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Neutron activation in geochronology: The40Ar/39Ar technique

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Abstract

Fast neutron irradiation of potassium-bearing minerals produces artificial39Ar. Mass spectrometric measurement of the39Ar/40Ar ratio allows to calculate a geological age. Stepwise degassing of the sample yields insight into its history. As an example, analysis of a single hornblende from the Valtellina (Italian Alps) reveals an unexpected pre-Alpine history of that region.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Chimica Generale, Università di Pavia, Via Taramelli, 12, Pavia, Italy

    M. Oddone

  2. Istituto di Geocronologia e Geochimica Isotopica del CNR, Via Cardinale Maffi, 36, Pisa, Italy

    I. M. Villa

Authors
  1. M. Oddone
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  2. I. M. Villa
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Oddone, M., Villa, I.M. Neutron activation in geochronology: The40Ar/39Ar technique. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Articles 99, 153–159 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02060835

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02060835

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