Abstract
New generation, high resolution, multi-collector noble gas mass spectrometers equipped with ion-counting electron multipliers provide opportunities for improved accuracy and precision in 40Ar/39Ar dating.
Here we report analytical protocols and age cross-calibration studies using a NU-Instruments multi-collector Noblesse noble gas mass spectrometer configured with a faraday detector and three ion-counting electron multipliers. The instrument has the capability to measure several noble gas isotopes simultaneously and to change measurement configurations instantaneously by the use of QUAD lenses (zoom optics). The Noblesse offer several advantages over previous generation noble gas mass spectrometers and is particularly suited for single crystal 40Ar/39Ar dating because of: (i) improved source sensitivity (ii) ion-counting electron multipliers, which have much lower signal to noise ratios than analog enabling precise measurement of very small 36Ar signals for accurate correction for atmospheric-derived 40Ar; (iii) higher mass resolution allows pseudo resolution of hydrocarbon isobaric interferences from 36Ar through to 40Ar; (iv) multi-collection, allowing more data to be gathered in a fixed time in comparison with single-collector peak-switching measurements; (v) a dedicated detector for radioactive 37Ar.
Our cross-calibration experiments indicate high-resolution, multi-collector, noble gas mass spectrometers can facilitate an improvement in accuracy and precision of 40Ar/39Ar dates compared to previous generation single collector instruments, in ideal cases the ages approaching the ± 0.1% goal of EARTHTIME.
Here we report analytical protocols and age cross-calibration studies using a NU-Instruments multi-collector Noblesse noble gas mass spectrometer configured with a faraday detector and three ion-counting electron multipliers. The instrument has the capability to measure several noble gas isotopes simultaneously and to change measurement configurations instantaneously by the use of QUAD lenses (zoom optics). The Noblesse offer several advantages over previous generation noble gas mass spectrometers and is particularly suited for single crystal 40Ar/39Ar dating because of: (i) improved source sensitivity (ii) ion-counting electron multipliers, which have much lower signal to noise ratios than analog enabling precise measurement of very small 36Ar signals for accurate correction for atmospheric-derived 40Ar; (iii) higher mass resolution allows pseudo resolution of hydrocarbon isobaric interferences from 36Ar through to 40Ar; (iv) multi-collection, allowing more data to be gathered in a fixed time in comparison with single-collector peak-switching measurements; (v) a dedicated detector for radioactive 37Ar.
Our cross-calibration experiments indicate high-resolution, multi-collector, noble gas mass spectrometers can facilitate an improvement in accuracy and precision of 40Ar/39Ar dates compared to previous generation single collector instruments, in ideal cases the ages approaching the ± 0.1% goal of EARTHTIME.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 2011 |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 |
| Event | AGU Fall Meeting 2011 - San Francisco, United States Duration: 9 Sep 2011 → 9 Sep 2011 http://sites.agu.org/fallmeeting/ |
Conference
| Conference | AGU Fall Meeting 2011 |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| City | San Francisco |
| Period | 09/09/2011 → 09/09/2011 |
| Internet address |
Cite this
Storey, M., Rivera, T., & Flude, S. (2011). Accurate and precise 40Ar/39Ar dating by high-resolution, multi-collection, mass spectrometry. Abstract from AGU Fall Meeting 2011, San Francisco, United States.