Instruments

The ThermoFisher Neptune is a large format, magnetic sector, multicollector ICP-MS best suited for high precision isotope ratio measurements.  It is equipped with eight Faraday cups, eight continuous-dynode electron multipliers, (MIC - multiple ion counters) and a central SEM with RPQ for high abundance sensitivity.

The ThermoFisher iCAP Qc is a quadrupole ICP-MS (installed in Nov. 2015).

The Agilent 5900 is an ICP-OES (installed in March 2022) that best suited to measure major and trace elements in a high total-dissolved solid (TDS) matrix. The synchronous dual view combines axial and radial optical beams to efficiently measure a wide range of elements. The advanced valve introduction system allows this ICP-ES to make measurements very rapidly.

Solid Samples can be directly sampled and introduced into either the Neptune or the iCAP Qc using the Applied Spectra 193 nm eximer LASER ablation sampling device.  This system is equipped with a large-format laser ablation cell. This cell can hold significantly more samples and standards than regular laser ablation cells.

Aqueous solutions are sampled by a variety of nebulizers and spray chambers from Elemental Scientific Inc. Desolvation of aqueous solutions improves sensitivity and decreases oxide and hydride interferneces. We use Apex, Apex-IR, Aridus1 and Aridus2 systems from CETAC Technologies.

Our lab also provides access to a HEPA-filtered exhaust hood, a Millipore water purification system (Elix10, Element) and analytical balances.