Advanced in situ geochronological and trace element microanalysis by laser ablation techniques

Authors

  • Dirk Frei Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark
  • Julie A Hollis Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark
  • Axel Gerdes Institute of Mineralogy, Johan-Wolfgang-Goethe University, Senckenberganlage 28, D-60054 Frankfurt, Germany
  • Dan Harlov GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Section 4.1 Experimental Geochemistry and Mineral Physics, Telegrafenberg, D-14473 Potsdam, Germany
  • Christine Karlsson Department of Geology, University of Lund, Sölvegatan 12, S-22362 Lund, Sweden
  • Paulina Vasquez Institut für Angewandte Geowissenschaften, Technische Universität Berlin, Ernst-Reuter-Platz 1, D-10587 Berlin, Germany
  • Gerhard Franz Institut für Angewandte Geowissenschaften, Technische Universität Berlin, Ernst-Reuter-Platz 1, D-10587 Berlin, Germany
  • Leif Johansson Department of Geology, University of Lund, Sölvegatan 12, S-22362 Lund, Sweden
  • Christian Knudsen Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34194/geusb.v10.4884

Abstract

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was developed in 1985 and the first commercial laser ablation systems were introduced in the mid 1990s. Since then, LA-ICP-MS has become an important analytical tool in the earth sciences. Initially, the main interest for geologists was in its ability to quantitatively determine the contents of a wide range of elements in many minerals at very low concentrations (a few ppm and below) with relatively high spatial resolution (spot diameters of typically 30–100 μm). The potential of LA-ICP-MS for rapid in situ U–Th–Pb geochronology was already realised in the early to mid 1990s. However, the full potential of LA-ICP-MS as the low-cost alternative to ion-microprobe techniques for highly precise and accurate in situ U–Th–Pb age dating was not realised until the relatively recent advances in laser technologies and the introduction of magnetic sectorfield ICP-MS (SF-ICPMS) instruments. In March 2005, the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) commissioned a new laser ablation magnetic sectorfield inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-SF-ICP-MS) facility employing a ThermoFinnigan Element2 high resolution magnetic sectorfield ICP-MS and a Merchantek New Wave 213 nm UV laser ablation system. The new GEUS LA-SF-ICP-MS facility is widely used on Survey research projects in Denmark and Greenland, as well as in collaborative research and contract projects conducted with partners from academia and industry worldwide. Here, we present examples from some of the these ongoing studies that highlight the application of the new facility for advanced geochronological and trace element in situ microanalysis of geomaterials. The application of LASF-ICP-MS based in situ zircon geochronology to regional studies addressing the Archaean geology of southern West Greenland is presented by Hollis et al. (2006, this volume).

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Published

29-11-2006

How to Cite

Frei, D., Hollis, J. A., Gerdes, A., Harlov, D., Karlsson, C., Vasquez, P., Franz, G., Johansson, L., & Knudsen, C. (2006). Advanced in situ geochronological and trace element microanalysis by laser ablation techniques. GEUS Bulletin, 10, 25–28. https://doi.org/10.34194/geusb.v10.4884

Issue

Section

RESEARCH ARTICLE | SHORT