CODES – Centre for Ore Deposit and Earth Sciences
LA-ICP-MS Laboratory
Applications and Expertise
- U/Pb dating of zircons, apatites, monazites, titanites, rutiles, garnets, etc
- Trace and major element analysis in silicate and oxide minerals and glasses
- Trace and major element analysis in sulfides with specially developed calibration standard (STDGL3)
- PGE analysis in sulfides with specially developed calibration standards and metal-argide corrections (NiS-3, Po724T)
- Mapping of element distribution in minerals
- Pb isotope measurements in sulfides and silicates
- Fluid and melt inclusions
- Trace and major element analysis in bio-mineralogical materials (otoliths, stylets and other)
Research and Development
- Optimisation and development of LA-ICP-MS instrumentation
- Laser ablation fundamentals and element fractionation
- Calibration standards for LA-ICP-MS
- Interpretation of LA-ICP-MS time-resolved data
- LA-ICP-MS data reduction software (LADR)
- Advancing U/Pb dating of different minerals
- Mapping of element distribution in minerals using ICP ToF and fast washout cell
- Lu/Hf dating using Agilent 8900 (QQQ)
Equipment
Applied Spectra/ASI RESOlution Systems
The lab houses four laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LAICPMS) systems. Two are equipped with Coherent COMPex Pro ArF 193 nm wavelength Excimer lasers operating with 20 ns pulse width; two are equipped with ATL ATLEX ArF 193 nm wavelength Excimer lasers operating with a 5 ns pulse width. All LAICPMS systems are equipped with Lauren Technic large format S-155 sample cells.
Agilent quadrupole ICP-MS
The lab houses three models of Agilent mass spectrometers: 7700, 7900, and 8900. These instruments provide excellent performance for laser ablation (dry plasma) applications.
New Wave Solid State Lasers
The lab houses two solid state Nd:YAG lasers from ESI: at 213nm and 193nm. Both lasers have custom built constant geometry ablation cells. Currently these units are rarely used, but maintained primarily for R&D.
Access to Facilities
The laboratory provides access to LA-ICPMS analysis to CODES staff and students, academic collaborators within UTAS and other institutions, and industry. For access arrangements and current charges contact CODES Analytical Laboratories.
People
Dr Paul Olin, Leader of CODES Analytical Laboratories
Joined the analytical team in 2013.
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Dr Ivan Belousov, Senior Research Fellow in Mineralogy and Geochemistry
Joined the analytical team in 2013.
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Dr Jeffrey Oalmann, Lab Analyst
Joined the analytical team in 2021.
Mr Maxwell Morrisette, Lab Analyst
Joined the analytical team in 2019.
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