ICP-MS Lab

ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) or plasma source mass spectrometry represents the most sensitive and flexible method for the analysis of mass fractions of trace elements in geomaterials (rocks, minerals, water) and in chemical or technical products. The advantage of the method lies in the nearly complete ionization of many elements, which is achieved by using argon plasma at temperatures of up to 7000 °C and fast data acquisition. The Thermo Electron Element XR in the AB Geochemistry (installation 3/2006) is a high-resolution double focusing instrument, which provides directional (magnet) and energy focusing (electrostatic sector) of ion beams.
The analytical focus and expertise has been analyses of mass fractions of trace and ultra-trace elements in terrestrial and extraterrestrial materials by isotope dilution coupled with ICP-MS. Elements include platinum group elements, but also Re, Au, Ag, S, Se, Te, Cu, Cd, In, Tl and more abundant trace elements such as the rare earth elements. Other applications include main and trace cations in surface water and in carbonate sediments, trace elements in basic and ultrabasic rocks.