Laser ablation elemental and isotopic microanalytical methods for minerals and fluid and melt inclusions: development and applications

在过去的20年里，使用激光烧蚀电感耦合等离子体质谱（LA-ICP-MS）进行微量分析已经彻底改变了地球科学。在此期间，仪器和应用不断改进；然而，在获得常规的、完全定量的、与基质无关的LA-ICP-MS数据方面仍然存在挑战。该研究计划将确定新开发的LA-ICP-MS仪器在经济和战略上重要的“高科技”（即高场强和铂族元素）矿床调查中的效益。该研究项目将产生：1)改进我们对激光/物质相互作用的理解，这对于进行完全定量的LA-ICP-MS分析至关重要；2)相对于以前的LA-ICP-MS系统和方法，新的或改进的元素和同位素微分析程序将提高数据质量；3)新的信息对于确定热液过程在这些重要矿床形成中的作用至关重要，目前这些数据基本上不存在。研究成果将对以下方面具有重要意义：1)越来越多对使用LA-ICP-MS微分析程序和应用感兴趣的国际研究人员；2)对改善这些矿床的勘探和开发策略感兴趣的矿床研究人员和勘探地球科学家。我们的实验室在地球科学和环境应用的短脉冲宽度LA-ICP-MS的开发和应用方面一直处于世界领先地位。该项目独特的仪器、分析方法和实际应用研究将有助于加拿大研究人员继续在LA-ICP-MS的开发和应用中发挥领导作用。

Microanalysis using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) has revolutionized the geosciences over the past 20 years. Continual improvements have been made in instrumentation and applications over this period; however, challenges remain in obtaining routine, fully quantitative, matrix-independent LA-ICP-MS data. This research program will determine the benefits of newly developed LA-ICP-MS instrumentation for the investigation of economically and strategically important 'high-technology' (i.e., high field strength and platinum group element) mineral deposits. The research program will produce: 1) improvements in our understanding of laser/matter interactions, which are critical to conducting fully quantitative LA-ICP-MS analyses, 2) novel or modified elemental and isotopic microanalytical procedures that will improve data quality relative to previous LA-ICP-MS systems and methods, and 3) new information that is critical to determining the role of hydrothermal processes in the formation of these important mineral deposits, for which data are presently largely non-existent. The research output will be important to: 1) a growing body of international researchers interested in using LA-ICP-MS microanalytical procedures and applications, and 2) mineral deposit researchers and exploration geoscientists interested in improving exploration and development strategies for these mineral deposits. Our lab has been a world leader in the development and application of short pulse width LA-ICP-MS for geoscience and environmental applications. The unique instrumentation, analytical methods, and practical applications research that will result from this program will contribute to Canadian researchers continuing their leadership role in the development and application of LA-ICP-MS.