Investigations of the Potassium-Argon Method of Age Determination Using Solid Isotopic Dilution and Gas Removal by Crushing Page: 2
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In the determination of ages by the potassium-argon method
the generally accepted technique in present practice is to determine
the amount of radiogenic argon present in the sample by the method
of isotopic dilution, with argon-38 aa the diluting isotope. In
the present research a new technique has been investigated in which
argon-39 1* used aa the diluting Isotope, and is added dissolved in
an artificial silicate which approximates the pertinent properties
of the rock being analyzed. The ease of handling and measurement
involved in such a procedure is apparent.
Fechtig et al. (l) have reported the use of neutron generated
argon-39 in natural silicates and in KC1 to measure the diffusion
characteristics of argon in these substances. Bombardment generated
argon-37 also has been used in age (2) and diffusion measurements (3).
For the exploratory experiments a sample of potassium silicate
glass was prepared as a melt from pure silica glass powder and
•in&lyzed grade potassium carbonate, and was homogenized' by heating
was 10.8$. The resultant clear glass was crushed to 40 to 60 mesh
else in a diamond mortar, and was activated in the Brookhaven
graphite reactor in the fast neutron section. Argon-39 was produced
br‘ the reaction —
After removal from the reactor, and "cooling" of short-lived
nctlvltles, the samples were colored purple from neutron structural
*
t*t 1450° C. for three hours. The potassium content of the product
K39(n,p)Ar^.
\
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Naughton, John J. Investigations of the Potassium-Argon Method of Age Determination Using Solid Isotopic Dilution and Gas Removal by Crushing, report, April 3, 1962; Upton, Long Island, New York. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1201072/m1/2/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.