The (U-Th-Sm)/He lab is equipped with an Alphachron automated system for helium measurement. We routinely measure 2 laser pans of 24 aliquots each in automatic mode in 1 week. We collaborate with section 3.1 at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences; the colleagues from GFZ are responsible for sample dissolution and analysis of U, Th and Sm using ICP-MS. At present, we analyze both apatites and zircons.

The Institute for Geosciences at the University of Potsdam has a laboratory for stereoscopic projection and analysis of three- or multidimensional data (3D laboratory). The laboratory focuses on the spatial projection of complex data sets in order to visually analyse data structures and their internal relationships. Simultaneously, sonification and haptic techniques will be used to detect spatio-temporal patterns.
The laboratory comprises a computer cluster and a visualization platform. The …

The Potsdam ⁴He/³He Thermochronology Laboratory at the University of Potsdam, Germany is dedicated to high-precision measurement of ⁴He and ³He noble gas abundances and isotopic ratios (i.e. ⁴He³He) in U-bearing accessory minerals such as apatite.
The laboratory is equipped with a Helix SFT Thermo Scientific mass spectrometer recently acquired and funded by the European Research Council (ERC). The Helix SFT is connected to a Thermo extraction and purification Prepline dedicated to mineral …

Acid digestions of solid samples for main and trace element analysis are carried out in a modern digestion laboratory with special digestors that are also suitable for working with hydrofluoric and perchloric acid. The samples can be prepared as open digestions using the DigiPrep heating block system (SCP Science) or as closed digestions using the Multiwave 5000 microwave reaction platform (Anton Paar).
The Vitriox Electric 4+ fusion unit from Fluxana is available for the production of glass …

An anaerobic chamber allows the investigation of reactive matter transport in laboratory scale also for anoxic or anaerobic environmental conditions. The chamber is operated with nitrogen or forming gas. The oxygen concentration can be regulated between 0 - 20%. For reaching oxygen concentrations below 0.5% a catalytic converter has to be instrumented and the chamber is operated with forming gas. A detachable front panel allows for the instrumentation with big experimental setups.

In the Gas Chromatography Lab whole oil analyzes are performed with special attention to saturated hydrocarbons, highly volatile organic compounds, and lipid fractions (e.g. fatty acids, alcohols, sterols).

For complex geodynamic questions, a wide variety of analytical methods and procedures is employed in the analytics and preparation laboratory. Some of the analytic equipment is located in our group; others are operated in cooperation with GFZ sections. There is also close cooperation with other research institutes, universities, and industry. Interested scientists from outside the GFZ may also use our Preparation Laboratory through cooperation.

Complete Fission Track dating facilities are available at the FU Berlin. We have a fully equipped mineral separation laboratory for concentrating apatite and zircon. Facilities for mounting, polishing, and etching samples are in collaboration with University of Potsdam. We host a Zeiss © Axioplan 2 microscope with a maximum magnification of 1250 x paired with a Drawing Board VI ©, stage control, LED courser mouse and the FT Stage © software for counting and length measurements. Data record and …

For quantification of organic (e.g. acetate, formate) and inorganic anions (e.g. chloride, sulfate) in aqueous samples ion exchange chromatography is used.
The quantification of the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in aqueous samples and chromatographic separation of the DOC into different fractions and quantification of these fractions in aqueous samples is done via liquid chromatography – organic carbon detection (LC-OCD).

The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating method is a modification/improvement of the ⁴⁰K-⁴⁰Ar method. The utilised decay system is the electron capture by a ⁴⁰K parent nuclide and the production of a ⁴⁰Ar daughter nuclide with a decay constant (Λe) of 0.581 x 10⁻¹⁰. In addition, beta-decay of ⁴⁰K to ⁴⁰Ca also occurs with a decay constant (Λb) of 4.96 x 10⁻¹⁰, but this branch is not used. For the K-Ar method, direct determination of potassium concentrations on sample aliquots is necessary. In contrast, for …