Facilities and Equipment
Ultra-Clean Lab
The Ultra-Clean Chemical Laboratory (UCCL) in room 317 of Science and Research Building I provides a reliable, contamination-free chemical treatment of samples prior to inorganic elemental or isotopic analysis. The concept is intended to guarantee a dust-free environment as well as resistance to corrosion even if hot concentrated mixtures of acids are continuously used, thus establishing not only a clean room but a clean laboratory. The excellent air quality is demonstrated both by particle measurements and the analysis of acids purified by sub-boiling distillation in the UCCL.
Varian ICP-MS
Varian ICP-MS features include:
- Unique and patented interface/extraction optics to minimize interferences, providing reliable, routine, trace level quantification.
- Optimized sample introduction system, including a computer-controlled Peltier-cooled spray chamber, reduces interferences and improves stability.
- Robust, high-efficiency plasma system and patented Turner Interlaced Coils break down the toughest sample matrices, reduce matrix effects, and minimize ion energy spread for maximum sensitivity and stability.
- Patented 90 degree ion mirror and low noise double off-axis quadrupole provide industry leading sensitivity and background.
- All-digital extended range detector – more than nine decades of dynamic range in pulse counting (digital) mode.
- Capable of analyzing about 70 chemical elements in any sample that can be put into aqueous solution or can be mounted for laser ablation. Detection limits and analytical precision vary widely with analytical protocol, instrumental response, blank contamination, interferences, matrix composition, and isotope abundance, but ranges from <100 ppb to <1 ppt (parts per trillion) in aqueous solution. Analytical relative deviation is typically <3%, one standard deviation
Jarrell Ash AtomScan 25 AES
The Research Lab is equipped with a Thermo Jarrell Ash Atomscan 25 sequential Inductively Coupled argon Plasma (ICP) emission spectrometer that is designed to meet a wide variety of bulk rock, water, and archeological chemistry demands. The machine is built around an extremely rapid and reliable slew-scanning monochromator that offers both high resolution and wide wavelength coverage. It includes an auto sampler for 240 samples and a totally automated plasma emission source.
Major and trace (including rare earth) elements are routinely analyzed for all types of rocks. Over 3000 igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks and hundreds of water and archeological samples have been analyzed in the lab since its inception in 1990. A chromatography lab has been established to allow pre-separation and pre-concentration of rare earth elements for high-precision measurements by ICP.
Cetac 213 Laser
The LSX-213 delivers high intensity 213 nm, 5 nanosecond laser pulses at rates of 1-20 Hz. The homogeneous flat top energy profile of the laser produces aperture spot sizes from 10 to 200 micron while maintaining a constant energy density. The laser output energy is fully adjustable to produce as much, or as little ablation necessary to analyze virtually any solid sample - ideal for geological, forensic industrial and biological samples. The LSX-213 have an improved video system with the largest field of view and an extraordinarily bright illumination system for polarized reflected lighting, polarized transmitted lighting or both simultaneously. The built in mass flow controller allows precise control of Helium flow to take advantage of this proven technique for efficient and consistent sample transport into ICP-MS.
