The LA-ICPMS technical platform (Laser ablation – Mass spectrometry)
Technical Managers : Chantal PEIFFERT and Marie DAOULAS-GÉRARDIN
Scientific Manager : Julien MERCADIER
Summary
The LA-ICPMS technical platform (Laser ablation – Mass spectrometry)
The LA-ICPMS technical platform is:
♦ part of the RéGEF network,
♦ and in the process of being labeled Infra + via the ANATELo platform,
Dedicated to geology, the LA-ICP-MS technical platform (Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) measures small-scale chemical compositions (5-150 µm in diameter) and isotopic compositions of a wide range of elements, from mass 7 (Li) to mass 238 (U), in solid and liquid phases. Applicable to various mineralogical contexts, isotopic analysis by LA-ICP-MS provides dating using the Rb-Sr and U-Pb methods. Quantitative analysis of trace elements by mass spectrometry requires the use of commercially available standards (NIST manufactured glasses). The platform is also part of the IAG (International Association of Geoanalysts) network.
For isotopic dating using the K-Ar method, the platform also has a section dedicated to the granulometric separation of clays (characterizable by SEM and XRD or the K-Ar method) using two methods: decantation (fractions <2µm) and centrifugation (finer fractions, up to <0.02µm). Used in understanding various hydro-thermo-dynamic processes, isotopic dating using the K-Ar method is applicable to many minerals, particularly clay minerals, and the range of measurable ages is considerable.
Technical expertises
What are the expertises of the Laser Ablation – Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA – ICPMS) platform?
♦ Laser ablation - Mass spectrometry
♦ Analysis of fluid inclusions
♦ Analysis of magmatic inclusions
♦ Rb/Sr dating
♦ U/Pb dating
♦ Reconstruction of fluid chemistry (paleofluids)
♦ Analysis of solid phases
♦ Analysis of trace elements
See all the expertises of Georessources in microscopy and spectroscopies.
Equipments and fundings
The platform currently has two lasers that can be coupled to the 3 ICP-MS instruments:
♦ A 193 nm ESI excimer laser, 20 Hz
♦ A 193 nm ESI excimer laser, 1000 Hz, dedicated to imaging
♦ An AGILENT quadrupole ICP-MS for measuring trace elements
♦ An AGILENT triple quadrupole QQQ-ICP-MS coupled to a gas introduction system to eliminate isobaric interference, an essential step for applying Rb-Sr dating
♦ A high-resolution magnetic sector ICP-MS, ATTOM Nu Instrument, dedicated to U-Pb dating
For decanting, the laboratory has two experimental benches:
♦ A bench dedicated to large quantities (separation in 2L test tubes). This bench is used in particular for K-Ar dating, as this technique requires at least 100mg of material for each fraction, including the finest ones
♦ A bench dedicated to smaller quantities (separation in 50, 250, 500mL or 1L Schott vials), used for mineralogical characterization by SEM and XRD
For centrifugation, the laboratory has:
♦ An AVANTI JXN 26 centrifuge
♦ A rotor: JCF-Z (20,000 RPM) with a continuous flow head allowing direct separation of the clay solution during centrifugation
♦ and a JA-10 rotor (10,000 RPM) allowing different quantities of material to be centrifuged using the various adapters available
The laboratory has a rare gas line dedicated to argon quantification. This line consists of:
♦ An induction heating system (up to 1400°C) for degassing all types of samples, including feldspar clays (which are more difficult to degas)
♦ Gas purification via getters
♦ A quantitative calibration system (Cassignol-Gillot method)
♦ An ARGUS VI mass spectrometer, Thermofisher, multi-collector with magnetic sector
Several organizations helped GeoreSsources to finance the equipment of this platform. Among them are:
How to get to the the LA-ICPMS technical platform
The LA-ICPMs Technical platform (Laser ablation – Mass spectrometry) is located at the following address:
Faculté des Sciences et Technologies de Nancy
Gate 3B
5th floor
Rue Jacques Callot,
54500 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy
GPS coordinates: 48.664682228111836, 6.160835710115589
Contact
If you would like to contact GeoRessources, please feel free to send us a message by clicking on the link below and filling out the form.
