4He/3He Thermochronology Laboratory

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 samples for routine analysis with a single-head cryotrap (planned to be installed at the end of May 2021). The Prepline is equipped with an inlet cell for Diode Laser fusion and/or step heating. The upcoming cryotrap (planned in May) will allow the separation of He from other noble gases (i.e. Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe). The purification system includes 4 NP10 getters. The Helix SFT is specifically designed to analyze ⁴He and ³He in multi-collection mode with 1 CDDs and 1 Faradays cups.