Acquisition of a Multi-Collector Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer for the AIRIE Program

科罗拉多州立大学获得了一台带有多个离子计数器的新型多收集器热电离质谱仪（MC-TIMS），这标志着该项目在分析能力方面取得了重大飞跃。我们目前使用的是两台已有35年历史的单收集器仪器，这极大地限制了我们可以进行的分析种类和数据采集的效率。我们老化的仪器经常发生故障，缺少备件，这就需要花费大量的时间和资金进行维护。airy项目主要关注地质年代学，开发和验证基于矿物辉钼矿中铼（Re）向锇（Os）衰变的方法。这是可能的，因为这些元素在辉钼矿中的浓度相对较高。但是Re-Os系统提供了大量其他潜在的应用，这是单收集器仪器无法实现的。多个收集器使我们能够同时测量所有的临界同位素比率，大大提高了数据采集的速度和分析的精度。有了多个离子计数器，即使浓度很低，我们也能同时测量。有了这些新功能，我们将扩大研究范围，追踪地壳和海洋中Re和Os的行为，探索地球氧收支的变化，开发新的地球计时器（例如，确定金的形成日期），并研究新的同位素系统，以解决粒子物理学中的基本问题。现代化的实验室设施将有助于我们更好地吸引高素质的学生和客座研究人员。AIRIE项目与来自矿产行业、政府机构和学术界的数百名科学家进行了合作。我们扩大的能力将使所有这些选区受益。

0421235SteinAcquisition of a new multi-collector thermal ionization mass spectrometer (MC-TIMS) with multiple ion counters marks a major leap forward in analytical capabilities for the AIRIE Program at Colorado State University. We currently use two 35-year-old, single-collector instruments that greatly limit both the kind of analyses we can do and the efficiency of data acquisition. Frequent breakdowns and lack of spare parts for our aging instruments have demanded huge expenditures of time and funds on maintenance. The AIRIE Program has focused strongly on geochronology, developing and proving methods based on the decay of rhenium (Re) to osmium (Os) in the mineral molybdenite. This has been possible because of the relatively high concentration of these elements in molybdenite. But the Re-Os system offers an enormous range of other potential applications that are impossible to pursue with single-collector instruments. Multiple collectors allow us to measure all of the critical isotopic ratios simultaneously, greatly increasing both speed of data acquisition and precision of the analyses. With multiple ion counters, we will be able to make simultaneous measurements even for very low concentrations. With these new capabilities, we will expand research to track the behavior of Re and Os in the earth's crust and oceans, explore changes in the earth's oxygen budget, develop new geochronometers (e.g., date the formation of gold), and investigate new isotopic systems to address fundamental questions in particle physics. Modern lab facilities will help us better attract top-quality students and guest researchers. The AIRIE Program has a record of collaboration with hundreds of scientists from the mineral industry, government agencies, and academia. Our expanded capabilities will benefit all of these constituencies.