The Laboratory was first established in 1989, and has since built an international reputation for high-quality Ar/Ar and rare gas analyses by laser ablation methods.
The Ar/Ar dating method is a very versatile radiometric dating tool, generally applicable to finding the age of any potassium-bearing rock or mineral. Consequently our Ar/Ar dating research activities are diverse and include: meteorite impacts, volcanoes, mountain-building, sandstone and mudrock provenance, and, not forgetting an old favourite, excess argon. Our noble gas experimentation includes determining diffusion rates of different gas species in minerals and metals.
Argon/Argon & Noble Gas Research Group
Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes MK7 6AA
U.K.
Lead Academic - Dr Sarah Sherlock
Telephone: +44 (0) 1908 659559 (office),
Lab Manager - Dr Alison Halton
+44 (0) 1908 659449 (office)