[Triumf-seminars] TRIUMF Special Seminar today at 11:00

[TRIUMF Seminars]

Date/Time: Thu 2023-03-23 at 11:00

Location:  Auditorium          

Speaker:   Eva Enkelmann (University of Calgary)

Title:     Fission-Track Dating Enhancements with ISAC Stable Beams

Abstract: Tracks of Time:

Fission-track analysis is a radiometric dating technique that is based on the decay of Uranium 238 through spontaneous nuclear fission. A linear damage zone is formed along the trajectories of the two fission fragments called fission track. Through chemical etching these fission tracks can be made visible in natural occurring minerals and observed under an optical microscope. Fission tracks in the mineral apatite are preserved when the rock is at temperatures  less than 60 degrees centigrade but anneal entirely at temperatures greater than 120 degrees centigrade. In the temperature window of 120 to 60 degrees centigrade,  fission tracks partially anneal through track lengths reduction over millions of years. Because fission tracks accumulate through time, they enable scientists to study them for the purpose of dating geological processes. Their temperature sensitivity is used to decipher the thermal history of rocks and allow the interpretation with respect to the timing, amount, and rate of earths processes. 

In this presentation I will provide an overview on geochronology and thermochronology techniques and specifically on fission-track dating. I will explain how the collaboration with TRIUMF will help geoscientists to study rock deformation and erosional processes by improving the measurements of fission track lengths through heavy ion irradiation.  


Stimulants available 15 minutes before the talk.

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General TRIUMF seminar information available at http://www.triumf.ca/home/upcoming-events/about-seminars-lectures