Application for large-scale scientific instrument - laser ablation ICP-MS

激光烧蚀质谱（LA-ICP-MS）是一种在微米尺度上高精度分析各种材料中元素浓度和同位素比值的分析工具。这项技术在地球科学中的应用越来越多，用于阐明地质或环境过程。通过在我们实验室中使用LA-ICP-MS，我们期望在各个研究方向上取得重大进展。该方法的主要优点是具有极高的空间分辨率和高灵敏度。我们的主要方法是：(1)原位分析矿石、矿物和岩石中的微量元素；(2)确定成矿作用的年龄和时间；(3)量化流体-岩石相互作用；(4)建立岩浆和热液矿床成因的四维模型；(5)量化原料的提取和利用对环境的影响。我们相信，通过这种研究，我们将能够确保我们社会的原材料供应，并减少原材料的开采，加工和工业使用的环境足迹。除了我们的地质研究小组之外，其他科学家将从使用这种仪器进行研究中受益，因为它将是卡尔斯鲁厄理工学院（核禁区外）唯一的这种设备。

Laser ablation mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is an analytical tool for analyzing element concentration and isotope ratios in various materials on a micron-scale with extremely high precision. There is increased application of this technology in the geosciences, where it is used to shed light on geological or environmental processes. From using a LA-ICP-MS in our laboratory, we expect significant advance in various research directions. The main advantages are the extreme spatial resolution and the high sensitivity of the method. Our main approaches will be: (1) analyzing trace elements in-situ in ores, minerals and rocks; (2) determining the age and duration of ore-forming processes; (3) quantifying fluid-rock interaction; (4) establishing models in 4D for the genesis of magmatic and hydrothermal mineral deposits; and (5) quantifying environmental impact of raw material extraction and use. We believe that we will be able to secure the raw material supply for our society and reduce the environmental footprint of mining, processing and industrial use of raw materials by this kind of research. On top of our geological research groups, other scientists will profit from the use of this instrumentation for their research, because it will be the only equipment of that kind at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (outside the restricted nuclear area).