Authors: Nikolaus Froitzheim, Jan Pleuger

Abstract
The texture of deformed rocks yields information about (1) the active gliding system and hence the temperature during deformation, (2) the type of strain, e.g. extension versus flattening, (3) the kinematic path (e.g., simple shear versus pure shear, and the shear sense of simple shear). Additional and complementary information can be gained from the analysis of grain shape fabrics. Taken together, these methods allow extracting a maximum of tectonic information from deformed rocks. The application of these methods has allowed tectonic studies in the Alps to reach a new level of understanding.
Neutron texture goniometry, because of the high penetration capabilty, allows true volume measurement and therefore statistic measurements even in coarse-grained material. Linear detectors allow simulataneous data collection for several pole figures and mathematical deconvolution of superposed reflections, of particular interest for the analysis of polymineralic rocks. For future work, geologists need an instrument which allows large sample series to be measured in order to understand not only single samples, but cross-sections and larger structures. This requires short measuring time and hence high intensities. Required is also a broad spectrum of d values in order to handle low-symmetry minerals. Larger samples (2 to 3 cm diameter) must be treatable in order not to be restricted to fine-grained rocks.

Authors Description
Niko Froitzheim is a structural geologist working on tectonic processes along plate boundaries, mostly Alpine orogens. Jan Pleuger is currently finishing his PhD project on the structural geology of the Monte Rosa area in the Western Alps, mostly using neutron texture goniometry of quartz-rich mylonites.