Precise argon isotope measurements using SIRIX IRMS

We’ve recently published a new application note on the Sirix IRMS,

The measurement of argon isotope ratios has been a routine part of geochemistry for many decades. In particular, the argon-argon dating method measures the ratio of 40Ar to 39Ar in order to determine the age of rocks and minerals. But measurement of other isotopes of argon is also scientifically useful. The abundance of 36Ar and 38Ar helps scientists understand the composition and origin of the Earth’s atmosphere. Furthermore, the amount of these isotopes present in extraterrestrial samples helps us understand the formation and loss of atmospheres in other worlds.

The abundance sensitivity of the mass spectrometer is a key point in obtaining the highest quality data for argon isotope ratio measurements. The design and construction of SIRIX IRMS follows the methodology used for TIMS instruments and therefore the abundance sensitivity is excellent; around 2 ppm at m/z 39 relative to 40Ar, and around 0.5 ppm at m/z 38 (38Ar) relative to 40Ar (Figure 3). This is around twenty five times better abundance sensitivity than that depicted in Selzer et. al.

You can download the application note here. 

For more information about the SIRIX IRMS (a collaboration with sister company Isotopx) and other ways Sercon supports researchers, just email sales@sercongroup.com, we’d love to hear from you, just drop us an email at sales@sercongroup.com.

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