In situ determination of K–Ar ages from minerals and rocks using simultaneous laser-induced plasma spectroscopy and noble gas mass spectrometry

KArMars: A Breadboard Model for In Situ Absolute Geochronology Based on the K–Ar Method Using UV‐Laser‐Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

“…() reported 0.024% and 0.066% for the limits of detection and quantification, respectively, with a relative uncertainty of 20% at 1 s for 0.83% potassium. Solé () reported a relative standard deviation of about 1%. In this work, ablation was carried out with an excimer laser and the LIBS technique was based on the assumption of local thermodynamic equilibrium.…”

“…, Devismes et al . , Solé , , Cassata ). In this work, we describe a set‐up based on UV‐laser ablation under high vacuum to measure K concentration with LIBS and Ar abundance with quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS).…”

An in-situ K–Ar isochron dating method for planetary landers using a spot-by-spot laser-ablation technique

“…Several research groups have been developing in situ K-Ar geochronology techniques independently (Swindle et al, 2003;Cohen 2012;Stipe et al, 2012;Devismes et al, 2013;Solé, 2014;Farley et al, 2013). In particular, Cohen et al (2014) constructed K−Ar dating method called KArLE (K−Ar Laser Experiment) and reported isochron ages for rock samples using the breadboard model, however, the specific designs and analytical methods (e.g., spectrometer resolution, viewing geometry of laser-induced plasma, and calibration methods) in Cohen et al (2014) are different from ours.…”

Dating igneous rocks using the Potassium–Argon Laser Experiment (KArLE) instrument: A case study for ~380 Ma basaltic rocks

“…To resolve these problems and expand the capability of in situ geochronology, several groups, including ours, have been developing K–Ar dating instruments based on a laser‐ablation approach . In this technique, laser pulses vaporize the sample surface, liberating K and Ar locally (hundreds of microns in diameter and depth).…”

“…The same concern holds for an innovative LIBS–MS study using a quadrupled ultraviolet (UV) Nd:YAG laser; although a 170‐Ma basaltic rock was measured, the laser‐ablation process depends on the wavelength of laser emission, and only the infrared (IR) laser is flight qualified for LIBS at this time. Solé used the known terrestrial ratios of Ar isotopes to correct for trapped Ar in the samples studied, a technique that will not be applicable to the Moon or Mars.…”