Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Dec 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006agufm.p53a..06c&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2006, abstract #P53A-06
Mathematics
Logic
1094 Instruments And Techniques, 5494 Instruments And Techniques, 6297 Instruments And Techniques
Scientific paper
Measurements of conventional stable isotope values (generally light elements) can reveal quantitative details of a sample history. For example, minerals may hold information on their temperatures of formation and where their constituent elements were sourced. Knowledge of the whole isotopic system is needed for rigorous interpretation. However, spatially resolved analysis can tackle many problems by allowing measurement of isotopic variations between and within mineral grains. In terrestrial laboratories the approach needed to accomplish this can be considered as three activities: isolation of a sub-sample, preparation of the sample for analysis and isotopic measurement. In some techniques two of these stages may be combined. On Earth it is possible to use physical dissection of rock samples or spatially resolved analysis to isolate a rock sample; for example, the latter may be laser ablation, laser induced reaction or ion probe analysis. For our discussion of in situ use we will exclude ion probe approaches. The specification for both spot/sample size and analytical precision depends on the isotopic element and the problem being addressed, but most labs can make measurements to a precision of approx. 0.1 per mil with a spatial resolution of the order of tens of micrometers and need these specifications in tackling geological problems. Isotopic analysis is usually performed by magnetic sector mass spectrometry. Current in situ instruments may offer considerable sensitivity but not always sufficient isotopic precision (a few per mil) partly because of sample preparation methods, and are dependent on external sample separation. Conversion of the sample to a gas for analysis also precludes isotopic analysis of many types of sample. Isotopic analysis can be performed by magnetic sector or quadrupole mass spectrometry. Future developments for in situ instruments will need to address both spatially resolved analysis and higher precision. To avoid physical sub-sampling a laser probe offers considerable advantages and one that we are developing currently, potentially can analyze sulfur-bearing minerals, ices and carbonates. Isotopic analysis need not be by the sorts of mass spectrometry used so far. Our data from both a miniature ion trap mass spectrometer and a tunable laser isotope instrument (IR spectrometer) both show potential for future in situ isotopic analysis of minerals.
Brunner Benjamin
Christensen Lance E.
Chutjian Ara
Coleman Max L.
Macaskill John A.
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