As dating methods using Terrestrial Cosmogenic Nuclides (TCN) become
more popular, the need arises for a general-purpose and easy-to-use
data reduction software. The CosmoCalc Excel add-in calculates TCN
production rate scaling factors (using Lal, Stone, Dunai and
Desilets methods); topographic, snow and self-shielding factors;
exposure ages, erosion rates and burial ages; and visualizes the
results on banana-style plots. It uses an internally consistent TCN
production equation that is based on the quadruple exponential
approach of [Granger and Smith, 2000, NIM-B (172) pp. 824-828].
CosmoCalc was designed to be as user-friendly as possible. Although
the user-interface is extremely simple, the program is also very
flexible, and nearly all default parameter values can be changed.
To facilitate the comparison of different scaling factors, a set of
converter tools is provided, allowing the user to easily convert
cut-off rigidities to magnetic inclinations, elevations to
atmospheric depths and so forth. Because it is important to use a
consistent set of scaling factors for the sample measurements and
the production rate calibration sites, CosmoCalc defines the
production rates implicitly, as a function of the original TCN
concentrations of the calibration site. The program is best suited
for
Be,
Al,
He and
Ne calculations,
although basic functionality for
Cl and
C is also
provided. CosmoCalc can be downloaded along with a set of test data
from
http://cosmocalc.googlepages.com
