Syracuse University Noble Gas Isotope Research Laboratory

Syracuse University
http://su-thermochronology.syr.edu/

Contact Information

Suzanne Baldwin

315-443-4920

sbaldwin@syr.edu

Syracuse

NEW YORK

Instrument Type

MASS SPECTROMETERS - Radiogenic Isotopes

5400 noble gas mass spectrometer

Application:

Age determination Ar-Ar

Typical Use:

40Ar/39Ar analyses of K-bearing minerals used to determine the thermal and tectonic evolution of crustal terranes. Extraction of argon from samples is via either resistance furnace, CO2 laser or excimer laser.

Conditions for Use:

Visitors are invited to work in the lab to work with lab personnel.
Visitors are invited to work in the lab to design and do the work yourself.

User Fees:

$500/ sample (step heat experiments, laser analyses)
$1000/sample for kspar step heat experiments for MDD analysis

Instrument Priorities:

SUNGIRL NSF funded projects and students have highest priority for mass spec time. Scheduling of visitors is accommodated when possible.

Remote Use:

No

Sample Preparation:

Visitors are responsible for providing pure mineral separates for irradiation, and must take university radiation safety course prior to working in the lab. Amount of material depends on age and K content, but typically ranges from single crystals to 1-20 mg of multi-grain aliquots.

Standard Collections/Lab Blanks:

Flux monitors typically used for irradiations include: GA1550 biotite, MMhb-1 hornblende, and Alder Creek sanidine.

Software:

Software available for data reduction, plotting and modeling of results.

Educational Use:

Class demonstrations are available for undergraduates.
Class demonstrations are available for K-12.
Undergraduate student research projects are invited.
Graduate student research projects are invited.
Tutorials and other educational materials related to the lab are available.


Support provided by:

We acknowledge funding from NSF EAR Instrumentation and Facilities, and Tectonics Programs and NSF Office of Polar Programs.