EarthRef.org Digital Archive (ERDA) -- Melting a rock sample with a CO2 laser for 40Ar/39Ar geochronology

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Detailed File Information

Melting a rock sample with a CO2 laser for 40Ar/39Ar geochronology

File Name	m00008.img.798.melting.rock.jpg
Data Type	photograph
Computer Program	Adobe Illustrator CS2
File Size	422.00 KB - 2 files [ jpg,pdf ]
Expert Level	High School (Grade 9-12)
Contributor	ERESE Database Team
Source	COAS Argon Geochronology Laboratory
Resource Matrix	The Formation of Seamounts

Description
To gradually heat up a sample until it eventually melts, often times a CO2 laser is used. The infra-red light this laser emits heats up the samples that are placed in a sample holder sitting in a sample housing under ultra-high vacuum. A special ZnSe window allows the CO2 laser wavelength to pass into the sample chamber and onto the sample to be analyzed.