Nanoscale investigation of fission track formation and stability in geological environments

Fission tracks are used to determine the age and thermal history of Earth's crust using statistical analysis of etched damage trails created by energetic fission fragments. Little is known about the un-etched 'latent' track structure. We will perform a fundamental investigation of this latent track structure and its stability over a range of geologically relevant conditions using innovative synchrotron x-ray scattering measurements and a new approach for simulating fission track formation within Earth's interior combining irradiation with high pressure and temperature. This study will resolve open questions related to fission-track dating and provide a new strategy for understanding materials behaviour under extreme experimental conditions.