U-Pb Geochronology

Laser Ablation analyses are conducted using a ESI NWR 193nm Excimer Laser Ablation System coupled with a Thermo Scientific iCapQ Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer. The Laser is equipped with a large (100mm x 100mm x 25mm) two cell laser ablation chamber. The laser is capable of producing circular spot from 1-150 microns in size and is equipped with an XVR attachment that allows for square and rectangular spot up to 100 microns in the X and Y directions. Laser repetition rates can be adjusted from 1 to 200 Hz depending on the application and the laser fluence can be adjusted up to a maximum of 15 J/cm2.

Data Reduction

Data reduction is currently conducted using the Iolite v. 3.63 scheme, or via an in house made spreadsheet (U-Pb only) with the results present as an excel spreadsheet.

SEM image of 25um spot in a zircon grain (250X)