Opportunities from energy-loss near-edge fine structure analysis to track chemical and structural damage in zircon

Zircon (ZrSiO₄) is the oldest-known mineral of Earth and an ubiquitous silicate in geochronology. More specifically, the accumulation of alpha decay damage in zircon over time significantly affects its physical and chemical properties, and can lead to a disturbance of the ages measured in this mineral. Therefore, analytical tools that enable comprehensive structural and chemical information at the nanoscale in this compound are highly sought …