Calcium-41 : New Method For Radiometric Dating
Scientists have suggested using Calcium-41 for Radiometric Dating as an alternative to Carbon-14 for determining the age of fossilized bones and rocks.
- They have suggested a technique called Atom-Trap Trace Analysis (ATTA) as a solution, because ATTA is sensitive enough to spot Calcium-41, which is a rare isotope.
- Calcium-41 is a rare long-lived radioisotope of calcium with a half-life of 99,400 years.
- Calcium-41 is produced in the Earth’s crust when cosmic rays from space collide with calcium atoms in soil or rocks.
- This isotope has the potential to be employed in dating methods for objects that are older than what can be accurately determined using carbon-14 dating.
- ATTA is based on laser manipulation and detection of neutral atoms.
- The sample is vaporized, and the atoms are laser-cooled and loaded into a light and magnetic field cage.
- By tuning the laser’s frequency, Calcium-41 atoms can be detected through electron transitions.
- Electron transition: In an atom, an electron in one orbital can transition to the next if it’s given a specific amount of energy; then it jumps back by releasing that energy.
- The researchers reported being able to spot one calcium-41 atom in every 1016 calcium atoms with 12% precision in seawater.
- It is selective and avoids confusion with potassium-41 atoms.
