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Title: Resonance ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS) for the measurement of multi-element concentrations and Re-OS isotopes in crustal rocks

Conference · · Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States)
OSTI ID:6031717

Resonance ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS) has been demonstrated to be a viable means of selectively ionizing a variety of elements for isotope ratio measurement with better than 1% precision. With RIMS atomic ions are produced by resonance ionization using a tunable dye laser, from a cloud of neutral atoms formed in a modified conventional thermal ionization filament source. At least 47 elements are amenable to resonance ionization using a simple two-photon process with a Nd:YAG pumped dye laser system. Many of these elements are of geologic interest. The advantages of this system over conventional mass spectrometry include the elimination of isobaric interferences, high sensitivity and the ability to ionize many elements not amenable to thermal ionization. Current research centers on the development of RIMS to precisely measure by isotope dilution a number of elements of interest to geochemists including Hf, Zr, Re, Os, W, Mo and the rare earth elements using minimal chemical separation procedures. Resonance ionization of these elements has been demonstrated. Techniques are being developed to utilize RIMS in the measurement of Os isotope ratios in crustal rocks, requiring picogram sensitivity. Isotope ratio measurement of nanogram quantities of Os have already been achieved.

Research Organization:
National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD (USA)
OSTI ID:
6031717
Report Number(s):
CONF-8510489-
Journal Information:
Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States), Vol. 17; Conference: 98. annual meeting of the Geological Society of America, Orlando, FL, USA, 28-31 Oct 1985
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English