Articles | Volume 4, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-561-2022
https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-561-2022
Research article
 | 
19 Aug 2022
Research article |  | 19 Aug 2022

An algorithm for U–Pb geochronology by secondary ion mass spectrometry

Pieter Vermeesch

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Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'A Solid Foundation for Accessible Best Practice in SIMS U-Pb Geochronology Data Reduction', Morgan Williams, 11 Apr 2022
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Pieter Vermeesch, 06 May 2022
  • RC2: 'Comment on gchron-2022-4', Nicole Rayner, 21 Apr 2022
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Pieter Vermeesch, 06 May 2022

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (further review by editor) (27 Jun 2022) by Noah M McLean
AR by Pieter Vermeesch on behalf of the Authors (11 Jul 2022)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (30 Jul 2022) by Noah M McLean
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (02 Aug 2022) by Klaus Mezger (Editor)
AR by Pieter Vermeesch on behalf of the Authors (02 Aug 2022)  Author's response   Manuscript 
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Short summary
Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is the oldest and most sensitive analytical technique for in situ U–Pb geochronology. This paper introduces a new algorithm for SIMS data reduction that treats data as compositional data, which means that the relative abundances of 204Pb, 206Pb, 207Pb, and 238Pb are processed within a tetrahedral data space or simplex. The new method is implemented in an eponymous computer programme that is compatible with the two dominant types of SIMS instruments.