The geological microprobe: The first 25 years of dating zircons (2024)

Compston, W., & Clement, S. W. J. (2006). The geological microprobe: The first 25 years of dating zircons. Applied Surface Science, 252(19), 7089-7095. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2006.02.122

Compston, W. ; Clement, S. W.J. / The geological microprobe : The first 25 years of dating zircons. In: Applied Surface Science. 2006 ; Vol. 252, No. 19. pp. 7089-7095.

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title = "The geological microprobe: The first 25 years of dating zircons",

abstract = " Andersen and Hinthorne reported in situ Pb isotope ages for lunar minerals in the early 1970s. 'Peak stripping' was used to subtract isobaric interferences but it worked only for old, U-rich targets. Jim Long entered the race for in situ mineral dating using high resolution to separate isobars. Despite low sensitivity, he achieved 207 Pb/ 206 Pb dating of zircons in the late 1970s. In 1980 we finished the large instrument SHRIMP I based on the magnetic analyser design of Matsuda that delivered both high resolution and high sensitivity. A year later we found zircon grains 4200 million years old, far older than any previous terrestrial age. Certain in situ isotope studies remained inaccessible, such as Sr isotopes in Ca-rich minerals. All need 20,000 R with high sensitivity to accumulate enough counts for worthwhile precision. In 1990, Matsuda published new reverse-geometry designs that have still higher resolution, one of which we completed in 1997. We achieved 20,000 R but so far only at reduced sensitivity. Its full potential will be realised after further testing including computer simulations.",

keywords = "High mass-resolution, Magnetic mass-analysers, SIMS dating, Zircon ages",

author = "W. Compston and Clement, {S. W.J.}",

year = "2006",

month = jul,

day = "30",

doi = "10.1016/j.apsusc.2006.02.122",

language = "English",

volume = "252",

pages = "7089--7095",

journal = "Applied Surface Science",

issn = "0169-4332",

publisher = "Elsevier B.V.",

number = "19",

}

Compston, W & Clement, SWJ 2006, 'The geological microprobe: The first 25 years of dating zircons', Applied Surface Science, vol. 252, no. 19, pp. 7089-7095. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2006.02.122

The geological microprobe: The first 25 years of dating zircons. / Compston, W.; Clement, S. W.J.
In: Applied Surface Science, Vol. 252, No. 19, 30.07.2006, p. 7089-7095.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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AU - Clement, S. W.J.

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N2 - Andersen and Hinthorne reported in situ Pb isotope ages for lunar minerals in the early 1970s. 'Peak stripping' was used to subtract isobaric interferences but it worked only for old, U-rich targets. Jim Long entered the race for in situ mineral dating using high resolution to separate isobars. Despite low sensitivity, he achieved 207 Pb/ 206 Pb dating of zircons in the late 1970s. In 1980 we finished the large instrument SHRIMP I based on the magnetic analyser design of Matsuda that delivered both high resolution and high sensitivity. A year later we found zircon grains 4200 million years old, far older than any previous terrestrial age. Certain in situ isotope studies remained inaccessible, such as Sr isotopes in Ca-rich minerals. All need 20,000 R with high sensitivity to accumulate enough counts for worthwhile precision. In 1990, Matsuda published new reverse-geometry designs that have still higher resolution, one of which we completed in 1997. We achieved 20,000 R but so far only at reduced sensitivity. Its full potential will be realised after further testing including computer simulations.

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Compston W, Clement SWJ. The geological microprobe: The first 25 years of dating zircons. Applied Surface Science. 2006 Jul 30;252(19):7089-7095. doi: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2006.02.122