Registration of alpha-recoil tracks in mica: The prospects for alpha-recoil dating method

Abstract

The registration properties of biotite mica are studied for tracks resulting from recoiling nuclei in the α-decay of heavy elements (e.g., the U and Th series). Both theoretical and experimental considerations indicate that biotite mica is capable of registering α-recoil tracks (α-RTs) resulting from single α-decays; and our studies suggest that the α-RT range reported by Huang and Walker (1967) must be that of single recoils. A detailed examination of the parameters involved, which underlines our current lack of knowledge of their accurate values, leads us to believe that the method of α-RT age-determination proposed by Huang and Walker cannot at present be reliably used. The possibility of using age standards in α-RT dating is also discussed, and it is concluded that the doubtful validity of several assumptions involved in this procedure also leads to unreliable results. Finally, some potential advantages of the α-RT method are discussed, if the present obstacles can be overcome.