Facilities
Our group studies the Earth and solar system by analysing extraterrestrial and terrestrial samples with the latest techniques of isotopic and elemental analysis. Group interests range from the prehistory of the solar system (studying the material from which it was made) through the chronology of the formation process to subsequent evolution of minor bodies and terrestrial planets.
Key equipment, much of which was developed by our group, includes:
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RELAX - Refrigerator Enhanced Laser Analyser for Xenon - is a unique resonance ionisation mass spectrometer with detection limits of a few 10s of atoms.
- RPMS - Resonance Photoionisation Mass Spectrometer for detection of ultra-trace amounts of Krypton in extraterrestrial samples.
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IDLE - Interstellar Dust Laser Explorer. This time-of-flight laser instrument is used for the in-situ analysis of almost all elements with high spatial resolution, high mass resolution and high sensitivity. Its main purpose is the analysis of interstellar (presolar) grains.
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MC-ICP-MS - Multi Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer.
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An Ar-Ar laser probe.
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Two conventional noble gas mass spectrometer systems.
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Multi collector noble gas mass spectrometer.
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Fluid system mass spectrometer.