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Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Contrasting particle size distributions and Fe isotope fractionations during nanosecond and femtosecond laser ablation of Fe minerals: Implications for LA-MC-ICP-MS analysis of stable isotopes

Xin‐Yuan Zheng, Brian L. Beard, Seungyeol Lee, Thiruchelvi R. Reddy, Huifang Xu, Clark M. Johnson

Chemical Geology · 2016

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Summary

This analytical chemistry study examines how different laser ablation techniques affect the measurement of iron isotope ratios in mineral samples using LA-MC-ICP-MS. The authors compare nanosecond and femtosecond laser ablation, documenting contrasting particle size distributions and potential isotopic fractionation artefacts. The findings have implications for the reliability of in situ stable isotope analysis in geochemistry and related fields requiring high-precision isotopic measurement.

UK applicability

As a methodological contribution to analytical chemistry, this work is globally applicable to any laboratory conducting laser ablation isotopic analysis of geological or environmental samples. UK-based geochemistry, soil science, and environmental laboratories using LA-MC-ICP-MS would benefit from understanding these instrumental artefacts.

Key measures

Particle size distributions; iron isotope fractionation (δ56Fe and δ57Fe); laser ablation methodology comparison (nanosecond vs femtosecond)

Outcomes reported

The study compared particle size distributions and iron isotope fractionation patterns produced by nanosecond versus femtosecond laser ablation of iron-bearing minerals. The research evaluated how ablation methodology affects stable isotope ratio measurements in laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS) analysis.

Theme
Measurement & metrics
Subject
Measurement methods & nutrient profiling
Study type
Research
Study design
Laboratory experiment
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
United States
System type
Laboratory / in vitro
DOI
10.1016/j.chemgeo.2016.12.038
Catalogue ID
BFmor3gfpg-8yfgao

Topic tags

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