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Fission Track Analysis

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Encyclopedia of Geochemistry

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series ((EESS))

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Definition

Fission track analysis is the study of microscopic linear traces of radiation damage in minerals and natural glass formed by radioactive decay of the 238U isotope of uranium by spontaneous fission. The constant accumulation rate of fission tracks provides a means to date geologic materials, and the gradual fading of fission tracks (annealing) at elevated temperatures over geologic time can be used to elucidate host rock thermal histories.

Introduction: What Are Fission Tracks?

Radioactive decay of natural uranium occurs by two processes: alpha and beta decay to stable isotopes of lead – the basis of U-Pb, (U-Th)/He, and U-series dating – and by natural spontaneous fission. The latter process is restricted almost exclusively to the 238U isotope of uranium and occurs with a probability almost two million times lower than U to Pb alpha decay . The energy released by spontaneous fission propels two fission fragments in opposite directions, which in...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA

    Stuart N. Thomson

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  1. Stuart N. Thomson
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Correspondence to Stuart N. Thomson .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth, Cornell University Department of Earth, Ithaca, New York, USA

    William M. White

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Thomson, S.N. (2016). Fission Track Analysis. In: White, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Geochemistry. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39193-9_290-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39193-9_290-1

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-39193-9

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