Atom probe tomography analysis of the reference Zircon GJ-1: An interlaboratory study
In recent years, atom probe tomography (APT) has been increasingly used to study minerals, and in particular the mineral zircon. Zircon (ZrSiO4) is ideally suited for geochronology by utilising the U-Th-Pb isotope systems, and trace element compositions are also widely used to constrain petrogenetic processes. However, while standard geoanalytical techniques provide information at micron scale lengths, the unique combination of chemical/isotopic sensitivity and spatial resolution of APT allows compositional and textural measurements at the nanoscale. This round robin study aims to define the reproducibility of APT data across research facilities and assess the role of different aspects of the atom probe workflow on reproducibility. This is essential to allow correct evaluation of APT results and full utilization of this emerging technique within the geoscience community. In this study, nine samples from the same homogemeous, GJ-1/87 zircon reference grain were sent to nine APT institutes in Europe, USA, Canada and Australia. Each institute conducted three different rounds of APT analyses: using (i) unconstrained analysis parameters, [1] pre-defined analysis parameters, and (iii) a data analysis exercise. Data such as the measured composition, acquisition parameters, or mass spectrum peak identifications, were recorded and analyzed. We observe a significant variation in the measured composition across this round robin study as well as the number of trace elements identified. These differences are thought to directly result from the user's choice of peak identification, ranging and background correction model. The type of instrument does not seem to be a critical factor. Consequently, comparison of absolute trace element data on zircon using APT between laboratories is only valid if the same workflow has been ensured.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 1495030
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-130160
- Journal Information:
- Chemical Geology, Vol. 495, Issue C; ISSN 0009-2541
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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journal | October 2019 |
Differences in chemical thickness of grain and phase boundaries: an atom probe tomography study of experimentally deformed wehrlite
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journal | June 2019 |
Compositional boundary layers trigger liquid unmixing in a basaltic crystal mush
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other | January 2019 |
Compositional boundary layers trigger liquid unmixing in a basaltic crystal mush
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text | January 2019 |
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