Laser ablation system for coupling to ICPMS instruments

• Subject Area: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry
• Term: Funded in 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 429838956

In this proposal, the Institute for Geology and Mineralogy at the University of Cologne applies to fund a laser ablation system that we propose to couple to our existing Multicollector ICPMS and Quadrupole ICPMS systems. The leading group of this proposal is the geochemistry/cosmochemistry group at Cologne, but the laser ablation device will also be used by three other working groups at the institute. The proposed laser ablation system will be employed for trace element and isotope measurements of different geomaterials, including meteorites, terrestrial silicates, evaporates and experimental charges. The research focus of the geochemistry/cosmochemistry group is on high temperature geochemistry, geochronology, early Earth evolution and cosmochemistry. This research spectrum has recently been expanded to experimental petrology and low temperature geochemistry (e.g., studying evaporites). The other research groups involved in this proposal have their research foci, e.g., on paleoclimatology and tephrochronology on volcanic glasses. A new laser ablation system within the Earth science department at Cologne is needed, because, unlike at neighbouring research institutions, only at Cologne the laser system can be coupled to both Multicollector ICPMS and Quadrupole ICPMS. Moreover, due to the increase in third party funded projects, there is an increasing demand for laser ablation measurements at Cologne that can no longer be covered by available instrument time at collaborating laboratories.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Laserarblationssystem zur Kopplung an ICPMS Geräte
• Instrumentation Group: 5710 Gas-Laser
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Leader: Professor Dr. Carsten Münker