The Laser Ablation High Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma mass Spectrometer (LA-HR-ICP-MS) is part of the Geochemistry and Geochronology Lab of the Research Center for Integrated Geological Studies (RCGIS). The RCGIS has research activities in virtually all fields of geology, with a very good scientific output, that put it in a leading position among universities affiliated centers with geological profile in Romania.
The ICP-MS instrument is a Nu-Attom analytical system. It is used for a variety of geochemical analysis of liquid natural and/or synthetic inorganic samples. The mass spectrometer is a double focusing, high resolution magnetic sector with a highly efficient ionization ICP source, allowing for low detection limits, down to ppb level for most elements. It is ideal for the most demanding ICP-MS requirements where sensitivity, precision, and speed of analysis are required. The attached Photon Machine Analyte G2 UV 193 nm excimer laser ablation (LA) module, allow analyses of small volumes of solid samples due to spot sizes down to 3mm. The measurement precision of isotopic ratios can be lower than 0.5% (i.e. uncertainty/measurement error <0.5%). This configuration allows for rapid peak-scanning across a wide mass range. The ability to determine precise and accurate U-Th-Pb isotope ratios, whilst at the same time determining concentration of other trace elements makes it an ideal tool for geochronological dating of a range of natural materials.
The instrument is capable of working overnight and can be operated remotely. Its main applications are in geochronology (U-Pb zircon dating), geochemistry, mineralogy, materials science including glass, ceramics, cements, biochemistry, etc.
Access policy and costs
The instrument is operated and maintained by Dr. Dan Nita (dan.nita@ubbcluj.ro), to whom all access request should be addressed. The access is open for all research projects in the mentioned areas, carried out by national academic or public founded research entities as well as for research groups from the EUTOPIA network, provided that instrument access has been mentioned in their research applications. The analyses shall be performed either by the lab personnel or by the applicant. In the latter case, a minimal training is required. A wide range of services are also available for industrial applications. These include phase identification, trace elements abundances in various crystalline and amorphous materials, water geochemical analysis, zircon U-Th-Pb geochronology, etc.
Contact person
Dr. Dan Nita dan.nita@ubbcluj.ro
Research and publications
A list of publications can be found at: https://biogeo.ubbcluj.ro/cigs/index.php/publications/