Laser ablation - inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)

The LA-ICP-MS facility at the University of Potsdam is used for in situ microanalysis such as precise U-Th-Pb age determination of accessory minerals (e.g. zircon, monazite, and apatite) and trace element analysis of silicate materials (e.g. garnet, zircon) in geological samples. Quantitative analyses can be obtained for most elements in the mass range from 7Li to 238U at low ppm level and spatial resolutions of 15 to 150 microns. Samples can be epoxy mounts (2.54 cm or 0.8-1 cm in diameter) and thin or thick sections. 

Equipment

• Element 2 single-collector magnetic sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (SF-ICP-MS) from Thermo-Fisher Scientific
• Excimer laser ablation system (NWR193) from Elemental Scientific Lasers