Instrument specification and virtual tours

The Cameca IMS 4f was installed in September 1988 and despite its age it still is the instrument of choice for multiple element analysis, and is ideal for the analysis of H in nominally anhydrous minerals. 

Equipped with a He cryo-pump, liquid nitrogen cold trap and a sample airlock than can hold, pre-pump and bake eight samples prior to analysis, it is perfect for light element and volatile analysis (e.g. H, Li, B, C, F).

Details include:

• Mass resolution up to 10,000.
• Duoplasmatron ion source for either positive or negative O or Ar ion generation. Additional pumping and gun isolation (IMPVAC Option) has been installed.
• Cs microbeam ion source with additional pumping and gun isolation (KISOCMS Option) for the production of Cs+ ions.
• Normal incidence electron gun (up-graded Dec99) for charge neutralisation while analysing insulating specimens.
• Scanning ion image option for image collection.
• Charles Evans and Associates control and interface. The software and interface have been upgraded (March 2003) to the Control-PXT V1.0 running under Windows NT.
• ETP Electron Multipliers and ECL fast counting system (14ns dead time) from Pulse-Count Technology Inc.
• Sample voltage may be adjusted from 0 to +4500v or 0 to- 4500v, so that the analyses may be made using ultra high offset techniques.
• An eight sample air lock system working at a vacuum of 2*10-8 Torr.
• Residual gas analyser installed on the sample chamber.

360 view of our IMS-4f Laboratory

The Cameca IMS 7f-Geo was installed in October 2018 and accepted in March 2019. It is equipped with a unique detection system combining a double Faraday cup and an Electron Multiplier. With this configuration, acquisition time is shortened and sub-permil precision for stable isotope ratio measurements can be achieved. Advances in electronics and software allows more automated analysis to be performed and the new Hyperion ion source produces a more stable O- ion beam with a higher spatial resolution. 

Details include:

• A unique detection system combining a double Faraday cup detector system and an Electron Multiplier.
• Advances in electronics and software allows more automated analysis to be performed.
• A Hyperion ion source that produces a more stable O- or O2- ion beam with a higher spatial resolution.
• A six sample rapid air-lock system.
• Pfeiffer turbo pumps as a replacement for Agilent puming system.

360 view of our IMS-7f Laboratory

The Cameca IMS 1270 was installed in January 2003 and provides better sensitivity and higher precision than the Cameca ims 4f. Dramatic improvements in external repeatability of isotopic ratio measurements for stable isotopes (O, Si, C, S, Li, B.) have been achieved, while the high transmission of the 1270 at high mass resolution has enabled new areas of geochronology (U/Pb, Th/Pb, Th/U in Zircon, Monazite and Allenite) to be developed. 

Details include:

• Mass resolution up to 40,000.
• NMR or Hall probe control of the Magnetic field.
• Duoplasmatron ion source for either positive or negative O ion generation with pumping and gun isolation.
• Duo-Lens Option (L1) to obtain higher density O ion beam.
• Cs microbeam ion source with additional pumping and gun isolation for the production of Cs+ ions.
• Four sample, fast entry air lock.
• Oxygen flooding attachment.
• Multi collector option installed with 3 electron multipliers and 4 Faraday cups.
• Normal incidence electron gun for charge neutralisation while analysing insulating specimens.
• Scanning ion image option for image collection.
• Z-stage for adjusting the height of sample.
• Turbo molecular pump installed on the multi collector system. 

360 view of our 1270 Laboratory

Image credit: Ivan Bartholomew.