In-situ Rb/Sr dating using the Thermo Scientific™ Neoma™ MS/MS MC-ICP-MS

Multicollector inductively coupled mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) has become the workhorse of isotope ratio mass spectrometry since its introduction 25 years ago.  Since then, several new instrumental design features have been implemented, most of them pioneered on the Thermo Scientific™ Neptune™ Series MC-ICP-MS, such as the Jet Interface (for greatly increased sensitivity, especially in dry plasma), multi-ion counting (MIC), 10¹³ Ω Amplifier Technology and XHR (for enhanced resolving power to resolve hydride interferences). Together these features have expanded the applications available with MC-ICP-MS: by increasing sensitivity, reducing sample size and improving isotope ratio precision beyond what was previously possible.

With the new Thermo Scientific™ Neoma™ MC-ICP-MS, we have taken the next step. Besides field-proven technologies, this new MC-ICP-MS platform contains innovative electronics with an enhanced collector array and increased dynamic range. It comes with Thermo Scientific™ Qtegra™ ISDS™ Software, a modern software, delivering workflow support, automation for ease-of-use and integration of peripherals such as laser ablation and desolvating nebulizer systems.

Recently, the introduction of MS/MS technology added a powerful option for MC-ICP-MS applications. The Neoma MC-ICP-MS is a modular platform that can be upgraded with full MS/MS capabilities by adding a novel pre-cell mass filter and hexapole collision/reaction cell [1]. With the ability to select a discrete range of masses to enter the collision/reaction cell, reactive gases such as O₂, SF₆ and NH₃ can be used alongside H₂ and He. Here we demonstrate how the Neoma MS/MS MC-ICP-MS can be used for a variety of new applications, such as, but not limited to, in-situ Rb/Sr dating.

References:

1. Craig, G. et al. (2021) Project Vienna: A Novel Precell Mass Filter for Collision/Reaction Cell MC-ICPMS/MS. Anal. Chem. 93, 10519.