Acquisition of a UV laser system

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EAR-0132377FarquharThis grant provides partial funding for a UV laser system that will be used in conjunction with two gas-source isotope ratio mass spectrometers for measurement of O2 and SF6 analyte gases. This instrument will be one of the primary tools for geochemistry research in the Stable Isotope laboratory at the University of Maryland (www.geol.umd.edu/~jfarquha/stable_isotope_lab.htm). The PI, James Farquhar has used and developed laser fluorination techniques in a previous position as a post doctoral fellowat the Geophysical Laboratory and UCSD. The PI and his colleagues (students and post docs) will apply the UV laser to research involving in-situ analyses of isotope ratios involving the four stable isotopes of sulfur and the three stable isotopes of oxygen. The focus of this research will be on understanding the application of these isotope systems to topics that include atmospheric deposition, isotopic exchange during mineral-mineral and mineral-fluid interactions, and the characterization of biological signatures in the rock record. The UV laser system will be coupled to a high vacuum extraction line and used in a system that is coupled to mass spectrometers capable of both dual inlet and continuous-flow isotope analyses. Its addition to the facilities in the Stable Isotope Laboratory provides the capabilities for analysis of samples several orders of magnitude smaller than by conventional techniques. These capabilities are important in situations where samples are limited and in cases where high spatial resolution is required for scientific interpretations.