Tectonic setting discrimination and<Superscript>40</Superscript>Ar/<Superscript>39</Superscript>Ar isotope geochronology of the Miba granite

The Miba granite is located in the juncture of Kang County in eastern Gansu Province and Lueyang County in Shanxi Province. It is considered to be the post-orogenic granite (POG-type) by major element discrimination method of Maniar.⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating indicates that its emplacement time is about 240—230 Ma and it is the result of the Indo-Sinian magmatism. In the early Yanshan period (about 193.8 Ma), a thermal event resulted in the partial opening of the argon isotope system of the biotite.     

Tectonic setting discrimination and ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar isotope geochronology of the Miba granite

The Miba granite is located in the juncture of Kang County in eastern Gansu Provinceand Lueyang County in Shanxi Province. It is considered to be the post-orogenic granite(POG-type) by major element discrimination method of Maniar. ~40Ar/~39Ar dating indicates that itsemplacement time is about 240-230 Ma and it is the result of the Indo-Sinian magmatism. In theearly Yanshan period (about 193.8 Ma), a thermal event resulted in the partial opening of the ar-gon isotope system of the biotite.     

Magmatism and deformation times of the Xidatan rock series,East Kunlun Mountains

The Xidatan rock series consist of mylonite, gneiss and granite. The U-Pb age shows that the granite was formed at 206 Ma, and the⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of the biotite display that the mylonite was formed at 145 Ma when the Xidatan ductile shearzone occurred. At about 110—100 Ma, the Xidatan Fault reactivated again. As a result, the biotite and muscovite of Xidatan rock series opened their argon isotope system.

     

Magmatism and deformation times of the Xidatan rock series,East Kunlun Mountains

The Xidatan rock series consist of mylonite, gneiss and granite. The U-Pb age shows that the granite was formed at 206 Ma, and the⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of the biotite display that the mylonite was formed at 145 Ma when the Xidatan ductile shearzone occurred. At about 110—100 Ma, the Xidatan Fault reactivated again. As a result, the biotite and muscovite of Xidatan rock series opened their argon isotope system.     

Unroofing around Qaidam Basin of northern Tibet at 30 Ma: Constraints from40Ar/39 Ar and FT thermochronology on granitoids

An⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and fission track thermochronological study has been carried out on three suites of granitoids collected along the northern and southern edges of the Qaidam Basin to better constrain the mechanisms accommodating the India-Asia collision around the Qaidam Basin (northern Tibet), in order to understand the evolution of the entire deformation area. Mica and K-feldspar have been analyzed and the cooling histories of the latter have been modeled. The cooling histories based upon K-feldspar modeling and fission track ages show that samples simul-taneously recorded an important cooling event (7.5—10.7 °C/Ma) around 30 Ma, which is thought to reflect an increase of denudation rate related to the tectonic activity in this area associated with uplift suggesting significant crustal thickening starting around 30 Ma in this area. The estimated sedimentation rate in the Qaidam Basin, the propagation rate along the Altyn Tagh fault and field observations support this deduction.

     

40Ar/39Ar — Alter eines Basits der Ostantarktis

The⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar technique is an analytical variation of the K–Ar dating method. A known fraction of the³⁹K in a sample is converted to³⁹Ar by irradiation with fast neutrons. In an incremental heating experiment, the argon is released from the sample fractionally by stepwise heating. The result is a series of apparent ages.⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age spectrum was determined for the sample Oase Vestfold. The minimum of the saddle-shaped age spectrum gives 1.0 billion years.     

Unroofing around Qaidam Basin of northern Tibet at 30 Ma: Constraints from<Superscript>40</Superscript>Ar/<Superscript>39</Superscript> Ar and FT thermochronology on granitoids

An⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and fission track thermochronological study has been carried out on three suites of granitoids collected along the northern and southern edges of the Qaidam Basin to better constrain the mechanisms accommodating the India-Asia collision around the Qaidam Basin (northern Tibet), in order to understand the evolution of the entire deformation area. Mica and K-feldspar have been analyzed and the cooling histories of the latter have been modeled. The cooling histories based upon K-feldspar modeling and fission track ages show that samples simul-taneously recorded an important cooling event (7.5—10.7 °C/Ma) around 30 Ma, which is thought to reflect an increase of denudation rate related to the tectonic activity in this area associated with uplift suggesting significant crustal thickening starting around 30 Ma in this area. The estimated sedimentation rate in the Qaidam Basin, the propagation rate along the Altyn Tagh fault and field observations support this deduction.     

Carbon monoxide molecules in an argon matrix: empirical evaluation of the Ar·Ar,C·Ar and O·Ar potential parameters

A potential force field has been evaluated for the calculation of the properties of the solid CO-Ar system. The CO·Ar potential energy has been expressed as a sum of the C·Ar and O·Ar interatomic interactions. The (6-exp) Buckingham form of the atom—atom potential, ? = ?Ar^?6 + B exp (?αr), has been used (r is the interatomic distance). The values of the A, B and α numerical parameters for the C·Ar and O·Ar potential have been obtained from those for the C·C, O·O, and Ar·Ar potentials using known combining rules. These values are the following: A_C·Ar = 3379 kJ/mol A⁶, B_C·Ar = 3.12 × 10⁵ kJ/mol, α_C·Ar = 3.493 A^?1, A_O·Ar = 2737 kJ/mol A⁶, B_O·Ar = 3.28 × 10⁵ kJ/mol, α_O·Ar = 3.706 A^?1. The three parameters of the Ar·Ar potential function (A_Ar·Ar = 6554 kJ/mol A⁶, B_Ar·Ar = 3.27 × 10⁵ kJ/mol, α_Ar·Ar = 3.305 A^?1) have been fitted to a set of experimental data for the Ar crystal (zero-temperature lattice spacing and energy, and the value of the isothermal compressibility). The CO·Ar potential surface has been calculated showing the most favourable position of an Ar atom near the CO molecule and the orientational dependence of the CO·Ar interactions. The CO·Ar separation distance at the potential minimum and the depth of the potential well are equal to 3.63 A and ?1.321 kJ/mol, respectively. Comparison has been made of the derived Ar·Ar and Co·Ar potential functions with other such functions available in the literature.     

Magmatism and deformation times of the Xidatan rock series, East Kunlun Mountains

The Xidatan rock series consist of mylonite, gneiss and granite. The U-Pb age showsthat the granite was formed at 206 Ma, and the ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar ages of the biotite display that the my-lonite was formed at 145 Ma when the Xidatan ductile shear zone occurred. At about 110-100 Mathe Xidatan Fault reactivated again. As a result, the biotite and muscovite of Xidatan rock seriesopened their argon isotope system.     

Neutron activation in geochronology: The40Ar/39Ar technique

Fast neutron irradiation of potassium-bearing minerals produces artificial³⁹Ar. Mass spectrometric measurement of the³⁹Ar/⁴⁰Ar ratio allows to calculate a geological age. Stepwise degassing of the sample yields insight into its history. As an example, analysis of a single hornblende from the Valtellina (Italian Alps) reveals an unexpected pre-Alpine history of that region.     

Contributions to the 37Ar background by research reactor operations

Radioargon has been identified as a useful nuclide for verifying compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Use of ³⁷Ar to identify a nuclear explosion requires quantification of contributions to the ³⁷Ar background at a potential measurement site. A method of estimating ³⁷Ar release activities using isotopes of radioxenon and radioargon has been developed in this paper. Numerical solutions to the system of equations describing air-activation in a reactor were used to determine ratios of release activities for ¹³⁵Xe/¹³³Xe, ^133mXe/^131mXe, and ³⁷Ar /⁴¹Ar as function of irradiation time and off-gas residence time prior to measurement and release. Published radioactive noble gas effluent data for the High Flux Isotope Reactor, HFIR (ORNL) from the year 1996 to 2010 were compiled as a test data set to predict the ³⁷Ar release on a yearly basis. An average ³⁷Ar release rate of 1.86 × 10¹⁰ Bq per year was calculated. The estimated release rate was used as a source term for atmospheric transport to run a test case for ³⁷Ar release over a typical HFIR operation cycle. Results showed that ground-level concentrations of ³⁷Ar did not exceed the minimum detectable concentration for a ³⁷Ar field measurement system beyond the immediate vicinity of the release point.     

Production of <Superscript>37</Superscript>Ar in The University of Texas TRIGA reactor facility

The detection of ³⁷Ar is important for On-Site Inspections (OSI) for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty monitoring. In an underground nuclear explosion this radionuclide is produced by ⁴⁰Ca(n,α)³⁷Ar reaction in surrounding soil and rock. With a half-life of 35 days, ³⁷Ar provides a signal useful for confirming the location of an underground nuclear event. An ultra-low-background proportional counter developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is used to detect ³⁷Ar, which decays via electron capture. The irradiation of Ar gas at natural enrichment in the 3L facility within the Mark II TRIGA reactor facility at The University of Texas at Austin provides a source of ³⁷Ar for the calibration of the detector. The ⁴¹Ar activity is measured by the gamma activity using an HPGe detector after the sample is removed from the core. Using the ⁴¹Ar/³⁷Ar production ratio and the ⁴¹Ar activity, the amount of ³⁷Ar created is calculated. The ⁴¹Ar decays quickly (half-life of 109.34 min) leaving a radioactive sample of high purity ³⁷Ar and only trace levels of ³⁹Ar.     

Rate constant for H+H+Ar = H2 + Ar from 1300 to 1700 K

Shock tube experiments on the decay of OH-radical concentration after shock-initiated combustion of H₂:O₂:Ar = 10:1:89 mixtures were analyzed to give the rate constant 1 × 10¹⁵ cm⁶mol^?2s^?1for the reaction H + H + Ar = H₂ + Ar overthe temperature range 1300 to 1700 K.     

Électrochimie dans le carbonate de propylène: II. Utilisation du système Ar+/Ar− des hydrocarbures aromatiques alternés comme référence de potentiel indépendante du solvant

The standard potentials of Ar⁺/Ar and Ar/Ar^? redox couples of some mono- and poly-nuclear aromatic hydrocarbons have been measured in propylene carbonate. It appears that: (a) the difference E⁰(Ar⁺/Ar)?E⁰(Ar/Ar^?) is constant in various solvents for a given hydrocarbon; (b) in a medium, the sum E⁰(Ar⁺/Ar)+E⁰(Ar/Ar^?) is independent of the hydrocarbon. These results confirm that the Ar⁺/Ar^? system can be used as a solvent-independent reference for potential comparisons.     

Monte Carlo simulations of Na atoms in dynamically disordered Ar systems: Solid,liquid, and critical-point fluid Ar

We present the results of simulations of the structures and optical absorption spectra of Na atoms in solid and liquid Ar at its triple point, and in critical-point Ar fluid. The spectral simulations combine a classical Monte Carlo scheme for generating thermally accessible ground state configurations, along with a first-order perturbation theory treatment of the interactions between the excited Na^*(3p ²P) atom and the surrounding Ar perturbers [Boatz and Fajardo, J. Chem. Phys., 101 , 3472 (1994)]. These simulations predict a “triplet” (i.e., three peaks) absorption lineshape for Na atoms in solid and liquid Ar at its triple point, and an asymmetrical, blue degraded absorption band for Na atoms in critical Ar fluid. We also note and discuss the similarities between the simulated Na/Ar₍₁₎ lineshape and an experimental Li/Ar/Xe mixed host matrix spectrum, and the similarities between the simulated spectrum of Na atoms in critical point Ar fluid, and an experimental Li/H₂ matrix absorption spectrum. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Elastic differential cross sections and intermolecular potentials for Ar + CH4 and Ar + NH3

Differential elastic cross sections are reported for CH₄ + Ar (E = μg²/2 = 8.43 kJ/mole) and NH₃ + Ar (E = 8.31 kJ/mole) in the region of the rainbow angles. Quantum interference undulations are apparently observed as well for CH₄ + Ar and, possibly, NH₃ + Ar. The measurements are fit to spherically symmetric intermolecular potentials yielding well depths and equilibrium intermolecular separations of 1.32 kJ/mole and 3.82 Å for CH₄ + Ar and 1.32 kJ/mole and 3.92 Å for NH₃ + Ar.     

Model potential calculations for the excited states of the Ar*+He,Ar*+Ne molecular systems. Interpretation of thermal energy collisions involving Ar*(3p 54p) and Ne*(2p 53p)

The method developed by Hennecart and Masnou-Seeuws (1985) for the Ne*+He and Ne*+Ne systems is applied to the calculation of the molecular potential curves of the Ar*+He and Ar*+Ne systems that are correlated to the levels of the 3p ⁵ 4s and 3p ⁵ 4p configurations of the Ar atom. The computed potential curves and dynamical coupling matrix elements are next used in the framework of a two-state quantal calculation to determine the temperature variation of a few population transfer cross sections. A simple interpretation is proposed for Ar*+He and Ne*+He collisions using the Nikitin's exponential model, and it is shown that in many cases the cross sections can be predicted correctly by a two-state model.     

High resolution adsorption isotherms of N2 and Ar for nonporous silicas and MFI zeolites

The high resolution adsorption isotherms of N₂ (77.4 K) and Ar (87.3 K) have been measured for two nonporous silicas with different silanol contents (3.3 and 0.35 OH/nm²) and for two MFI zeolite with different Al contents (Si/Al=12.5 and 500). Silanol groups and Al sites (acid sites) gives the significant effect on the N₂ isotherms at submonolayer, but the Ar isotherms are independent of silanols and Al sites. The Ar isotherms, therefore, are preferable in calculation of microporosity of zeolites. The N₂ and Ar isotherms for MFI zeolite (Si/Al=500) have been measured at temperatures of 77–94 K, from which the differential adsorption energies of N₂ and Ar are calculated. The interaction of N₂ with channel surface of MFI zeolite is greater than that of Ar in the range of α _s =0.1–0.7. The hystereses are detected for the N₂ isotherm in p/p ^o=0.1–0.3 at 77.4 K and for the Ar isotherm in p/p ^o=3×10⁻⁴–2×10⁻³ at 87.3 K. However, it is difficult to explain the hysteresis phenomenon using differential adsorption energy.     

Fluid Simulation of Capacitively Coupled HBr/Ar Plasma for Etching Applications

In this work, a fluid model has been applied to study HBr/Ar capacitively coupled plasma discharges that are being used for anisotropic etching process. Based on time average reaction rates, the model identify the most dominant species in HBr/Ar plasma. Our simulation results show that the neutral species like H and Br, which are the key precursors in chemical etching, have bell shape distribution while ions like HBr⁺, Br⁺ and Ar⁺ which plays a dominant role in the physical etching, have double humped distribution and shows peaks near electrodes. The effect of HBr/Ar mixing ratios on densities of dominant species are analyzed. The addition of Ar to HBr plasma decreases H, Br and HBr⁺ densities slightly while increases Br⁺ and Ar⁺ densities. It was found that the dilution of HBr by Ar results in an increase in electron density and electron temperature, which results in more ionization and dissociation. The densities and hence the fluxes of the neutrals and positive ions for etching and subsequently chemical etching versus physical etching in HBr/Ar plasmas discharge can be controlled by tuning Ar concentration in the discharge and the desire etching can be achieved.