Nucleo-cosmochronology

A review is made of the basis of nucleo-cosmochronologies, emphasizing the model independent approach. The exponential model as well as recent galactic evolution models are discussed. The r-process chronometer pairs ²⁵²Th/²³⁸U, ²³⁵U/²³⁸U, ²⁴⁴Pu/²³²Th and ¹²⁹I/¹²⁷I are discussed in detail. The possible development of other chronometer-pairs is also discussed. In particular it is shown that the ¹⁸⁷Re-¹⁸⁷Os system may eventually be able to determine the mean age of the elements to higher precision than any other r-process chronometer because all of the parameters are experimentally measurable. The possibility of a p-process chronology based on ¹⁴⁶Sm and an s-process chronology from ¹⁷⁶Lu is also examined.