The LA-ICP-MS facility at the University of Potsdam is used for in situ microanalysis such as precise U-Th-Pb age determination of accessory minerals (e.g. zircon, monazite, and apatite) and trace element analysis of silicate materials (e.g. garnet, zircon) in geological samples. Quantitative analyses can be obtained for most elements in the mass range from ⁷Li to ²³⁸U at low ppm level and spatial resolutions of 15 to 150 microns. Samples can be epoxy mounts (2.54 cm or 0.8-1 cm in diameter) …