Between TIMS and LA-ICP-MS, ICP-MS may be most easier. But in case of range of technique i.e., K-Ar, U-Th-Pb, K-Sr, etc dating which is better for use in lab?
I cannot fully answer your question. Different element systems are used for different time scales and different circumstances. For example zircon U-Pb is good for the Precambrian and can be measured by IDTIMs or SHRIMP. K-Ar Whole rock is used for younger less deformed rocks. K-Ar can be used to date metamorphic micas. Geochronology is a specialist field - talk to a specialist.
Hi Md. Zakaria, this completely depends on your research purpose (and your budget). You need to know, at least, which mineral(s) you want to target and what decay system(s) you want to date. The answers to these two general questions would lead to completely different directions. For example, LA-ICP-MS is suitable for zircon U-Pb dating, but is not for zircon (U-Th)/He.
For U-Pb system, I would say LA-ICP-MS is the most efficient and cheapest instrument to use (e.g., for U-Pb detrital zircon), but it is less precise when compared to TIMS and SIMS. It would be even more complicated (e.g., sample preparation) for other decay systems such as Ar-Ar and K-Ar as the analysis would be more time consuming (~6-12 months per sample) and more expensive.
So there is no explicit answer to your question "which is better", as different instruments and decay systems have their own advantages and limitations. Which one is better depends on what questions you want to resolve.
If you could provide further information about your research objective and minerals you want to date, I may be able to help further.
Weiyao
The principal question is for me: "What type of rock are you tageting upon sedimentary, metamorphic, or igneous rocks including their mineral deposits?" This controls the availability of minerals susceptible to age dating. And last but not least what is your question in the field you would like to get an answer to?
Currently it is a bit pocking around in the fog.
HGD
Thanks for your all answer. The instrument will be used for sedimentary rocks of marine origin. Also, I am finding the latest instrument which will be easy to use in the laboratory for geological age dating (K-Ar, U-Th-Pb, K-Sr, etc.).
- Badges
- Science topic