Multi-collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry: New Developments and Basic Concepts for High-precision Measurements of Mass-dependent Isotope Signatures

Nicolas D. Greber; Kirsten van Zuilen

doi:10.2533/chimia.2022.18

Multi-collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry: New Developments and Basic Concepts for High-precision Measurements of Mass-dependent Isotope Signatures

Authors

Nicolas D. Greber Natural History Museum of Geneva, Route de Malagnou 1, CH-1208 Geneva, Switzerland; Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 1+3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
Kirsten van Zuilen Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2533/chimia.2022.18

PMID:

38069745

Keywords:

MC-ICP-MS, Non-traditional stable isotopes

Abstract

Due to the development of multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) around 25 years ago, the isotopes of a large range of elements (masses from Li to U) are now analyzed with high enough precision and accuracy to resolve subtle natural variations. These so-called 'non-traditional stable isotope systems' opened many new research avenues and are applied at an increasing rate in research and industry projects and in a broad range of different disciplines, including archeology, biology, physics, cosmochemistry and geology. Here, we briefly summarize the most basic concepts of MC-ICP-MS, introduce new technical developments and address important points on how to acquire accurate high-precision isotope measurements of non-traditional stable isotopes.