Laser Ablation and Micromill

PCIGR’s versatile laser ablation systems can provide users with either precision sample milling for creating powders or in-situ analyses via laser ablation ICP-MS for trace element analysis, isotopic analysis, and geochronology.

Make/model

Connection to

Resonetics RESOlution M-50-LR
(193 nm)

Agilent 7700x quadrupole ICP-MS and
Nu Instruments AttoM high-resolution ICP-MS

Elemental Science Lasers/New Wave Research NWR193UC (193 nm)

Nu Instruments Nu Plasma multicollector ICP-MS and
Thermo Scientific Element 2 high-resolution ICP-MS

New Wave Research MicroMill

None (stand-alone)

PCIGR also has a microanalytical workstation called LaserSpot. More information about the workstation.

Laserspot logo

 

Resonetics RESOlution M-50-LR

The Resonetics RESOlution M-50-LR is a Class I laser system that is equipped with the following features:

  • Coherent COMPex Pro 110 UV excimer laser source (wavelength of 193 nm)
  • Laser spot size ranging from 5 to 200 µm
  • Sample stage (z-stage) for accurate beam focus, including on uneven surfaces
  • Two-volume sample cell (Laurin Technic, Australia) for high sensitivity, low fractionation, short washout times, and fast sample throughput
  • Large sample cell (Applied Spectra S-155) for large and/or irregularly shaped samples

Installed at PCIGR in 2010, the RESOlution M-50-LR allows for the ablation of a wide range of materials at high resolution and low absorbance. Our sample cells are capable of holding multiple samples of various dimensions, including:

  • Microscope slides
  • Mineral mounts
  • Thin rock sections
  • Slices of speleothem
  • Drill cores
  • Delicate archaeological materials (e.g., stone tools, teeth)
  • Samples of irregular shape

 

Photo of Resonetics RESOlution M-50-LR laser ablation system at PCIGR

Resonetics RESOlution M-50-LR laser ablation system being serviced at PCIGR. Photo: D. Weis. 

The RESOlution M-50-LR can be connected to PCIGR’s Agilent 7700x quadrupole ICP-MS and Nu Instruments AttoM high-resolution ICP-MS for split-stream, simultaneous trace elemental analysis and isotopic analysis.  

Contact Dr. Marg Amini for details on instrumentation and submitting samples.
Consult the Fees page for analytical costs.

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NWR193UC

Photo of New Wave Research NWR193UC laser ablation system at PCIGR

New Wave Research NWR193UC laser ablation system at PCIGR. Photo: V. Lai.

The Elemental Scientific Lasers/New Wave Research NWR193UC laser ablation system is equipped with the following features:

  • Coherent ExciStar XS ArF excimer laser source (wavelength of 193 nm)
  • Laser spot size ranging from 2 to 150 µm
  • TwoVol2 ablation cell fitted with a small cyclonic cup for efficient aerosol transport and washout

Installed at PCIGR in 2015, the NWR193UC allows for the ablation of rock and mineral samples of various sizes and shapes.

The NWR193UC can be connected to PCIGR’s Nu Instruments Nu Plasma multicollector ICP-MS for high-precision, in-situ Hf isotopic analysis of garnet, and to the Thermo Scientific Element 2 high-resolution ICP-MS for U-Pb geochronology of zircon and monzanite.

Contact Dr. Marg Amini for details on instrumentation and submitting samples.
Consult the Fees page for analytical costs.

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New Wave Research Micromill

Our New Wave Research micromill can recover minute quantities of sample powder for geochemical analyses.

For more information about the micromill, visit PCIGR’s LaserSpot page.

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Photo showing Detail of the New Wave Research micromill drill tip at PCIGR

Detail of the New Wave Research micromill drill tip at PCIGR. The puck is approximately 3 cm in diameter. Photo: D. Hanano.

 

 

First Nations land acknowledegement

We acknowledge that the UBC Point Grey campus is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm.

Pacific Centre for Isotopic and Geochemical Research

Earth and Ocean Sciences Main Building (EOSM), 6339 Stores Road
Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z4

Shared Research Platforms are facilities funded jointly by the Office of the VP, Research and Innovation and Faculties and departments for the purpose of offering specialized research services to UBC and external research communities.

UBC receives support for managing its research enterprise from the federal Research Support Fund.

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