MRI: Acquisition of a Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer to Support National Multi-User Access to High-Precision U-Th-Pb Geochronology

主要研究仪器计划（MRI）的这一奖项为博伊西州立大学地球科学系同位素地质实验室（IGL）购买多接收器热电离质谱仪（TIMS）提供资金，作为创建高精度地质年代学国家多用户设施的下一步。IGL致力于通过应用高精度U-Th-Pb地质年代学和放射性同位素示踪剂来校准地球历史和量化地质过程的速率。自成立以来，IGL通过与EARTHTIME地球历史校准倡议的努力，已成为同位素地质年代学界的一个关键节点。所要求的仪器将补充同位素地质实验室现有的TIMS和LA-ICPMS设备，并将专门负责扩大社区获得高精度U-Th-Pb地质年代学的机会。仪器将配置最新的离子计数和高欧姆法拉第放大器技术，以继续在非常少量的母同位素和子同位素的精确和准确分析方面的创新。IGL分析基础设施的扩大将有助于满足国家用户群体对最新应用的迅速增长的地质年代学需求，包括：年代地层学、古生物学和古气候学的高精度、高准确度U-Pb定年;（离子微探针或LA-ICPMS）和化学磨损TIMS分析碎屑锆石的鲁棒最大年龄限制;将现场地球化学和同位素分析与对同一颗粒的高精度分析相结合，以探索火山和深成火成岩过程;以及现场地质年代学和地球化学矿物标准物质的表征和校准。扩大同位素地质学实验室的仪器基地是一项合理的投资，可利用现有基础设施、新建环境研究大楼中的一个较大的实验室、一个出色的技术支助人员基础以及一个可行和成功的成本回收管理计划。对科学界的深入将继续围绕学生和早期职业科学家的培训和多学科整合。同位素地质学实验室还将继续举办一系列面对面和基于网络的教育和推广活动，包括通过非正式科学教育中心合作伙伴向初中和高中学生和社区成员提供基于研究的科学课程，以及一系列基于网络的学习对象，以教授地质年代学和地球历史科学。

This award from the Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) provides funds to acquire a Multi-Collector Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer (TIMS) for the Isotope Geology Laboratory (IGL) of the Department of Geosciences, Boise State University, as the next step in creating a national multi-user facility for high-precision geochronology. The IGL is dedicated to the calibration of Earth history and quantification of the rates of geological processes through the application of high-precision U-Th-Pb geochronology and radiogenic isotope tracers. Since its creation, the IGL has established itself as a critical node in the isotope geochronological community through its efforts with the EARTHTIME Initiative for the Calibration of Earth History. The requested instrument will complement the existing TIMS and LA-ICPMS equipment in the Isotope Geology Laboratory, and will be specifically tasked with expanding community access to high-precision U-Th-Pb geochronology. The instrumentation will be configured with the latest in ion-counting and high-ohmic Faraday amplifier technology, to continue innovations in the precise and accurate analysis of very small amounts of parent and daughter isotopes. Expansion of the analytical infrastructure of the IGL will help to meet the burgeoning geochronology needs of the national user community, for state-of-the-art applications including: high-precision, high-accuracy U-Pb dating for chronostratigraphy, paleobiology and paleoclimatology; tandem in situ (ion microprobe or LA-ICPMS) and chemical abrasion TIMS analysis of detrital zircons for robust maximum age constraints; coupling of in situ geochemical and isotopic analyses to high-precision analyses of the same grains to explore silicic volcanic and plutonic igneous processes; and the characterization and calibration of mineral standard materials for in situ geochronology and geochemistry. Expanding the instrumentation base of the Isotope Geology Laboratory is a sound investment capitalizing on existing infrastructure, a larger laboratory in the newly constructed Environmental Research Building, an exceptional personnel base of technical support, and a working and successful cost recovery management plan. Inreach to the scientific community will continue to center around student and early-career scientist training and multi-disciplinary integration. The Isotope Geology Laboratory will also continue to host a portfolio of in-person and web-based education and outreach activities including research-based science lessons to middle and high school students and community members via informal science education center partners, and a series of web-based learning objects to teach the science of geochronology and Earth history.