Automatisiertes Spaltspurendatierungssystem

• Subject Area: Geology and Palaeontology
• Term: Funded in 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 207092682

The Institute of Geosciences runs particle-track and Ar-Ar laboratories that on a routine basis contribute geothermochronological data to collaborative multi-discipline investigations of tectonic questions. The requested Instrument permits a dramatic increase of the number of samples that can be dated for each geological project; the most important benefit is the increased volume and resolution of the geochronological dataset. Automatic track counting also improves counting statistics, and thus precision, while providing more reproducible results by substituting fixed track-identification criteria for more variable human track counts. The reproducible observation conditions and fixed track identification criteria also have a major impact on the calibration of fission-track ages.The requested Instrument will allow Freiberg track scientists to maintain their leading position in this methodological field. It is also expected that it will allow them to realize a breakthrough in the development of an alpha-recoil-track dating method. The virtual microscope can be used for training of students and guest researchers.The hardware provides the best possible platform for developing more advanced methods of track counting. The expertise and earlier results put the Freiberg team in an excellent position for developing more advanced methods of track recognition and discrimination and to proceed beyond that to the automatic extraction of the tracklength and orientation distributions as well as the characterisation of the etched-track geometries.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Instrumentation Group: 5040 Spezielle Mikroskope (außer 500-503)
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg
• Leader: Professor Dr. Lothar Ratschbacher