Development and application of atom probe tomography to complex zircon grains

Abstract

Atom probe tomography (APT) is used to characterise the nanoscale geochemistry of complex zircon grains from different environments. New applications of APT to meteoritic, shocked and hydrothermal zircon grains are developed. The results of this project provide a new understanding of trace element modification of zircon and provides a framework for future investigations of the nanoscale geochemical and geochronological analysis of other minerals.