Recent Developments in Instrumentation and its application in absolute geochronology : Historical perspective and Overview

Abstract The discovery of radioactivity in the early 20th century led to the development of several radiometric dating methods (e.g., Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, Re-Os, U-Pb). These radiometric dating methods are frequently used in earth science studies to constrain the deposition/formation timing of various natural archives (e.g., bulk rocks, minerals, carbonaceous materials, detrital clastic sedimentary materials, ore deposits, hydrocarbon deposits, fossils). The last few decades have witnessed significant improvements in overall accuracy and precision of these absolute radiometric dating methods due to continuous developments and refinements in sample processing and analytical techniquesIn this contribution, we discuss some of the frequently used radiometric dating techniques for obtaining absolute ages in various natural archives and associated advancements in the instrumentation. Here, we have attempted to include various absolute dating methods in such a way that the entire geological age timescale can be addressed. The present attempt emphasizes on a multimineral and multi-isotopic approach with continuous developments in obtaining better precision and accuracy in the ages through improved experimental and measurement protocols are the pre-requisite in geochronology field of Earth Sciences.