U-Pb Analysis

For in-situ laser ablation and low level solution analysis of U-Pb measurements, Nu Instruments have developed an optional ‘plug-in’ collector block which allows 204Pb, 206Pb, and 207Pb to be simultaneously measured on ion-counting multipliers whilst measuring 238U and 238U in Faraday collectors (Figure 1). For mass bias corrections simultanoeus measurement of 203Tl and 205Tl can also be made. Using this method, lead blanks and 204Hg isobaric interference corrections can be made by performing an on-peak blank measurement immediately before the sample is introduced into the plasma. This new U-Pb block does not reduce the degree of flexibility for other type of analysis such as hafnium, neodymium etc as only the locations of the ion-counting multiplier slots have been relocated.