Experimental Development of a Geochronometer Based on ESR- Detected Radiation-Induced Defects in Quartz: Collaborative Investigation Between FSU and L-DGO

首席研究员与佛罗里达州立大学的Leroy Odom和Edwin Hilinski合作，将尝试开发石英地球计时器和地温计。他将通过使用电子自旋共振光谱检查天然石英中肖特基-弗兰克尔缺陷的数量，然后通过改进的铀钍测年技术确定石英的年龄，从而确定缺陷的积累速度。通过退火实验对缺陷的热稳定性和平均寿命进行了研究；这反过来又可以为地质上有用的地质计时器提供基础。由于石英是一种常见的矿物，这种工具的开发可以有广泛的应用，并且对其他方法无法应用的岩石特别有用。对石英缺陷的了解也将有利于半导体工业。

The principal investigator, in collaboration with Leroy Odom and Edwin Hilinski at Florida State University, will attempt to develop a quartz geochronometer and geothermometer. He will do so by examining the number of Schottky-Frenkel defects in natural quartz using electron spin resonance spectroscopy, then determining the age of the quartz via improved uranium-thorium dating techniques, thereby establishing the rate of accumulation of the defects. Through annealing experiments a study also will be made of the thermal stabilities and mean lives of the defects; this in turn could provide a basis for a geologically useful geochronometer. Since quartz is a common minerals, development of this tool could have wide application, and would be particularly useful for rocks in which other methods cannot be applied. The understanding of defects in quartz also will benefit the semiconductor industry.